29 Days of Blackness: Nina Simone, I Put a Spell On You
Born on February 21, 1933 as Eunice Kathleen Waymon, Nina Simone was a songwriter, pianist, singer and activist from Tryon, North Carolina. Simone trained many hours per day during her childhood with dreams of becoming the first black classical pianist. She took her musicianship very seriously, infusing her early classical training with gospel, blues, jazz and folk to create timeless sounds.
Faced with personal challenges after being rejected from Curtis Institute of Philadelphia (for music), Nina began wowing audiences in nightclubs throughout the East Coast to display her musical talents and survive. This lead to her eventual record deal signings & international fame. During her career she recorded over 40 albums. According to her official bio, “she earned the moniker ‘High Priestess of Soul’ for she could weave a spell so seductive and hypnotic that the listener lost track of time and space as they became absorbed in the moment.”
Word to Queen Nina Simone.
