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American singer Nina Simone was born on February 21, 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina. The American jazz artist was and still is considered to be one of the greatest performers of all time!
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The American singer, songwriter, and pianist, Nina Simone released 19 studio albums! Some of her most successful tracks are "Four Women," "Revolution," and "Get By"
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Nina Simone's music style spanned a broad range of musical styles including gospel, pop, folk, classical, blues, R&B, and mostly jazz!
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Did you know that Nina Simone applied for a scholarship to study at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music? Unfortunately she was denied admission although her audition was quite impressive. She attributed it to racial discrimination
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Nina Simone was also known for being a civil rights activist. Her song "Four Women," for instance, describes the eurocentric standards imposed on African American women in the United States
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Before being famous, Nina Simone used to play piano at a nightclub in Atlantic City to make a living!
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Her real name was Eunice Kathleen Waymon but her professional name was Nina Simone. It was a combination of Nina ("little one,") from an Hispanic boyfriend, and Simone from French film actress Simone Signoret
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Nina Simone's amazing music career earned her four Grammy Award nominations - two during her lifetime and two other posthumously. She was also the recipient of a Grammy Hall of Fame Award for her song "I Loves You, Porgy"
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Before moving to the south of France in the early 1990's, Nina Simone lived several times in Liberia, Trinidad, Britain, Switzerland and Barbados!
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Some might find hard to believe that the very talented Nina Simone had a reputation of moody and difficult! It seems like strong artists have strong personalities...