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As one of the most legendary performers of our time, the inimitable Nina Simone’s legacy speaks to her duality as a Civil Rights activist and gifted artist. She often used her abilities as a singer-songwriter, pianist, composer, and arranger in service to her beliefs.
Initially a classically trained pianist, Simone had a unique ability to incorporate her love of Bach and Schubert into her recordings of jazz standards, blues, folk, and soul music. In 1959, Simone burst onto the scene with the release of her critically acclaimed debut album Little Girl Blue, most famously featuring her velvety version of Gershwin’s “I Loves You Porgy.” During this time, Simone began to develop close friendships with some of the Civil Rights Movement’s leading writers and thinkers including Lorraine Hansberry and James Baldwin, who encouraged her to use her platform as a performer to unapologetically shed light on the atrocities inflicted on the Black community.
This led Simone to pen her iconic protest anthem, “Mississippi Goddam,” which was written in response to the assassination of Medgar Evers as well as the murder of four Black children as a result of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham. She performed this song along with “Old Jim Crow” at Carnegie Hall in 1964, marking the beginning of her career as a bona fide Civil Rights singer, at tremendous risk to her career and even her safety. As the movement for Black liberation intensified, "The High Priestess of Soul" continued to invoke the spirit of protest in songs like “Four Women,” “Strange Fruit,” “I Wish I Knew How to Be Free,” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” Simone famously stated, “An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times... That, to me, is my duty. And at this crucial time in our lives, when everything is so desperate, when every day is a matter of survival, I don’t think you can help but be involved.”
For this playlist, we have curated tunes that highlight Simone’s commercial success like “Feeling Good” and “I Put a Spell On You” as well as those that showcase her talents as a pianist like “Love Me or Leave Me.” Along with her most popular protest anthems, we also highlight additional tunes that capture Black expression like “Images” and “Backlash Blues,” poems by Harlem Renaissance poets Waring Cuney and Langston Hughes, respectively. One of the particularly special performances highlighted is “Why? (The King of Love Is Dead).” Written in response to assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.–and debuted just three days his death–it captures Simone’s chilling and timely reflection on the countless lives lost during the struggle for Civil Rights.
Introducing a new Jazz at Lincoln Center series titled "Wynton's Top Ten," a monthly listicle curated by Wynton Marsalis. This month, Wynton shares his “Top Ten” picks for "Compelling Works on the Subject of Freedom" and his annotations behind each selection.
Listen to the music of the President of Jazz: Lester "Pres" Young.
Jazz at Lincoln Center remembers the life and legacy of Chick Corea, a towering figure whose innovations spanned decades and genres.
Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and Essentially Ellington alum Isaiah J. Thompson shares moments in #BlackExcellence that inspire him.
Wynton Marsalis performs Amazing Grace at Federal Hall on September 30, 2020 #DebateDefends
Wynton Marsalis breaks down his top ten cultural moments with a monthly listicle. This month, Wynton shares his top ten heroic cultural moments from Walk Whitman to Marvin Gaye.
Explore the music and legacy of Nina Simone, which speaks to her duality as a gifted artist and civil rights activist invoking the spirit of protest in her works.
Introducing a new Jazz at Lincoln Center series titled "Wynton's Top Ten," a monthly listicle curated by Wynton Marsalis. This month, Wynton shares his “Top Ten” picks for "Compelling Works on the Subject of Freedom" and his annotations behind each selection.
NYC's breadth of unique venues across town include legendary landmark locations, contemporary elegant lounges & no-frills bebop joints that provide a diverse community of swinging experiences.
We celebrate the history of South African jazz with these essential records.
Nobody in the history of jazz expressed himself more freely; or with more variety, swing, and sophistication than Duke Ellington. Listen to our playlist of essential Ellington recordings and find out how he changed jazz forever.
Find out who the three 2018 inductees into the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame are! All three made an indelible impact on America's music and influenced millions in the process.
Here's a list of 10 more must-have classics to round out your collection of jazz records.
Celebrate Thelonious Monk by getting to know the legend through his son’s memories.
Chick Corea is one of the most influential figures in jazz and one of the greatest living jazz pianists. Here are five essential albums from his discography.
Wynton Marsalis appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform with Jon Batiste, Stay Human, and acclaimed dancer Lil Buck. Check out video and behind-the-scenes content from their performance.
New to jazz and don't know where to start? With many artists and extensive catalogues of music, a new jazz listener can feel intimidated. We're here to help! Check out our list of 10 albums to get you started on your jazz journey and introduce yourself to some of jazz's great artists.
On December 7, 2014 the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra drove 8 hours on an off day to play for Clark Terry on his 94th birthday. Victor Goines, James Chirillo, Ted Nash, Vincent Gardner, and Walter Blanding recall the day and the impact that Clark had on jazz.
Listen to the music of the President of Jazz: Lester "Pres" Young.
Jazz at Lincoln Center remembers the life and legacy of Chick Corea, a towering figure whose innovations spanned decades and genres.
Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and Essentially Ellington alum Isaiah J. Thompson shares moments in #BlackExcellence that inspire him.
Wynton Marsalis breaks down his top ten cultural moments with a monthly listicle. This month, Wynton shares his top ten heroic cultural moments from Walk Whitman to Marvin Gaye.
Introducing a new Jazz at Lincoln Center series titled "Wynton's Top Ten," a monthly listicle curated by Wynton Marsalis. This month, Wynton shares his “Top Ten” picks for "Compelling Works on the Subject of Freedom" and his annotations behind each selection.
Our education programs have gone online! Find out how you can join for free and learn more about jazz from our experts and members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
NYC's breadth of unique venues across town include legendary landmark locations, contemporary elegant lounges & no-frills bebop joints that provide a diverse community of swinging experiences.
We celebrate the history of South African jazz with these essential records.
We sat down with Gerald Cannon ahead of his Memorial Day Weekend performances at Dizzy's.
Discover how growing up in the Bronx shaped Will Calhoun’s appreciation for art and how Elvin Jones inspired him to define his individuality.
Ornette Coleman led a life as fascinating as his music. Read up on some interesting facts about this jazz legend!
Before his passing in May, Joe Temperley spent 29 unforgettable years as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's baritone saxophonist and its beloved elder statesman. Between performances on their recent mini-tour of Canada, several JLCO members shared their memories of Temperley, who left behind an indelible legacy and a whole lot of stories.
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, so we thought we'd celebrate by delving into the careers of a handful of underappreciated jazz artists. Explore the careers of six musicians who deserve more accolades and learn the best places to start with their discographies.