Izzy

Nina Simone

Izzy Sommers

Early years

Nina was born the 6th of 8 children to a poor family.

But staying positive Nina learned to play the piano and 3. She

learned "God Be With You" and "Till We Meet Again" at 3 as well.

Demonstrating talent with piano she performed at church, but

her concert debut in classical recite was given to her when she was

12.

At 15 Simone was performing when her parents had been able

to sit in the front row but had to move to the back for some white

man and Nina refused to play until her parents where put back in to

the front row.

Adult hood

After finishing High School she studied for a interview with the help of

a private tutor to help her study further and the Curtis Institute of

Performing Arts but was rejected for being black.

When she grew up she married Don Ross and had a daughter but

quickly regretted the marriage.

She played in small clubs in the same year as she recorded I loves you

porgy. It became her top hit and her only song to the billboard and the top

20 in the United States.

Simone later lost more than $1 million in royalties. Notably for the

1980s release " My Baby Just Cares For Me". She never benefited financially

from the albums sales because she had sold her outright for $3,000.

Family Nina was born to John Divire Waymon and Mary Kate Waymon.

When Nina was 6 she became the pianist for church but it was

apparent even many her musically talented family had a special gif.

Everything that happened to her as a child involves around

music. Everybody played music in her family.

Her mother got her lessons by cleaning the house in which the

pianist live in.

She said " we learned to play the same way we learned to walk, it

was that natural."

Influences

her influences where Nat King Cole who helped

her record her first album.

Her mom helped her through everything and

Nina thought she was perfect.

Count Basie who helped her in her musical career

with all the hate like " you can't song your black "

Woody Herman who she just loved and Oscar

Brown Jr.

Accomplishments, struggles, and FUN FACTS Nina began her music career singing as a accompanist

to earn extra money for her family that made helped her

win the 12 awards she was given.

As the Civil Rights struggle developed in the United

States so did her music she wrote albums like Brown Baby

and I'm Black.

Nina had diabetes and had had a lot of hate she also

had a few thoughts of suicide it was so bad.

She was positive thought and always had a smile to the

press.

Nina died in her sleep cause of natural causes.

She was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, Nina Simone

was just a stage name.

Nina was 2/21/1933-4/21/2003

She is a real inspiration and has a big heart.

One more thing Nina Simone met Martin Luther

King Jr. and she also helped stop segregation.

Thanks for watching Have a good day