Artists & Bands

Nina Simone tunes

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Nina Simone: From Classical Aspirations to Jazz Legend

Eunice Kathleen Waymon initially aspired to be a classical concert pianist. After attending Julliard, she applied to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia but was denied a scholarship.

To make ends meet, she took a job as a cocktail pianist at a nightclub in Atlantic City. To avoid shaming her family for “playing the devil’s music,” she changed her name to Nina Simone.

The nightclub soon felt that Nina playing the piano wasn’t enough and asked her to sing as well. Accepting the offer, as it would increase her weekly pay, she began to sing, unknowingly beginning her transformation into one of the most recognised jazz singers the world had ever seen.

As Stephen Hawking famously said, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” Nina did just that, and with a steady gig, she was now positioned to develop her unique sound.

In 1957, at the age of 24, she recorded Little Girl Blue: Jazz as Played in an Exclusive Side Street Club on the Bethlehem label. However, it would take two years before the album was released.

During the wait, she signed to a different label (Colpix) and released The Amazing Nina Simone in 1959. Much has been said about the success of these two albums. Some claim the first was more piano-focused, while the second featured her voice with strings.

Interestingly, Nina signed away all the rights to the first album in exchange for a $3,000 payment. This might have given the label a stronger incentive to market it. However, it seems clear to me why the first album was more successful—it had better tunes!

On her debut album, we find My Baby Just Cares For Me (which would become Nina Simone’s signature song decades later), along with Mood Indigo, Don’t Smoke In Bed, the title track Little Girl Blue, Love Me or Leave Me, You’ll Never Walk Alone, and I Love You Porgy—this could almost be a Nina Simone Greatest Hits collection.

On the second album, only Stompin’ At The Savoy stands out, and interestingly, all the notable tracks on both albums are covers.

Nina Simone’s Resurgence: From Struggles to Iconic Status

Nina Simone’s resurgence in the late 1980s marked a major turning point in her career, bringing her back into the spotlight and securing her place in musical history.

After the initial struggles with the music industry, where she was exploited for her talent and given minimal financial compensation, Simone’s music began to reach new audiences. In 1987, Chanel No. 5’s use of My Baby Just Cares For Me in their advertisement brought her debut album back into the public eye. This unexpected exposure sparked a re-release of the track, which soon became a global sensation. However, it was bittersweet for Nina, as she had signed away all the rights to her music years earlier, losing out on an estimated $1 million in royalties.

Despite the lack of financial gain, the re-release of her debut album helped her rediscover her place in the music world. Her live performances began attracting larger crowds, especially in the U.K., where her music had always had a strong following. It was a reminder of her immense talent and influence, even though the industry had often failed to properly acknowledge her contributions.

Simone’s situation mirrored that of other artists who were given little control over their work in the early stages of their careers. One notable parallel came a few years later when The Clash saw a resurgence with Should I Stay Or Should I Go after it was featured in a Levi’s Jeans ad. Like Nina, the band’s success with the song came years after its initial release, proving that iconic music can often take time to be fully appreciated.

By the late 1980s, Nina Simone had become a household name, and the music that once felt like a struggle was now celebrated worldwide. Her ability to overcome obstacles and reinvent herself remains a testament to her incredible artistry and resilience.