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Enjoy the finest in jazz in the best possible audio quality. Enjoy Hi-Res tracks from legends including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans Trio, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Cannonball Adderley, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Billie Holiday, W...
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Miles Davis, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Trumpet, Associated Performer, Trumpet - Irving Townsend, Producer - Jimmy Cobb, Drums - M. Davis, Composer, Lyricist - Bill Evans, Piano - Paul Chambers, Bass - Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Alto Saxophone - John Coltrane, Tenor Saxophone
Originally released 1959. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
TOM DOWD, Engineer - Nesuhi Ertegun, Producer - John Coltrane, Tenor Saxophone, Writer, MainArtist - Phil Iehle, Engineer - Paul Chambers, Upright Bass - Art Taylor, Drums - Tommy Flanagan, Piano - John Webber, Remastering Engineer
© 2020 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Manufactured for & Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. ℗ 1960 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Duke Ellington, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - John Coltrane, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elvin Jones, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Thiele, Producer - Aaron Bell, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1962 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc., Mit freundlicher Genehmigung: Universal Music GmbH, Austria
Michael Cuscuna, Producer - Rudy Van Gelder, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Art Blakey, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Morgan, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Timmons, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Dizzy Gillespie, Composer - Wayne Shorter, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - FRANK PAPARELLI, Composer - Jymie Merritt, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, MainArtist
℗ 2005 Blue Note Records
Thelonious Monk, Composer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Hanighen, Author - Cootie Williams, Composer - Alfred Lion, Producer - Art Blakey, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Doug Hawkins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gene Ramey, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Sahib Shihab, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - George Taitt, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Paige, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
℗ 2013 Capitol Records, LLC
Johnny Mercer, ComposerLyricist - Harold Arlen, ComposerLyricist - Orrin Keepnews, Producer, Recording Producer - Bill Evans Trio, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Concord Music Group, Inc.
Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Horace Silver, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Joe Henderson, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Carmell Jones, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Humphries, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Teddy Smith, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
℗ 2012 Capitol Records LLC
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Barney Bigard, Composer - Duke Ellington, Composer - Irving Mills, Composer
Originally released 1966. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
JIMMY KNEPPER, Trombone - Booker Ervin, Tenor Saxophone - Teo Macero, Producer - Horace Parlan, Piano - Shafi Hadi, Tenor Saxophone - John Handy, Alto Saxophone - C. Mingus, Composer - C. Mingus, Lyricist - Charles Mingus, Performer - Charles Mingus, Bass - Dannie Richmond, Drums
Originally released 1959. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Nesuhi Ertegun, Producer - Billy Higgins, Drums - Ornette Coleman, Composer, Alto Saxophone, MainArtist - Charlie Haden, Double Bass - Don Cherry, Cornet
© 1959 Atlantic Records ℗ 1959 Atlantic Records
Johnny Mercer, ComposerLyricist - Miles Davis, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Prevert, ComposerLyricist - Joseph Kosma, ComposerLyricist - Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Art Blakey, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Jones, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Cannonball Adderley, Alto Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Jones, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Kevin Gray, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Blue Note Records
Ron Carter, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - HERBIE HANCOCK, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Freddie Hubbard, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Wayne Shorter, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Elvin Jones, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Capitol Records, LLC
Michael Cuscuna, Producer - Ron McMaster, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Art Blakey, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Robin, Author - Ralph Rainger, Composer - Clifford Brown, Trumpet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Percy Heath, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gigi Gryce, Flute, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - John Lewis, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Rouse, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - The Jazz Messengers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Sabu, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1953 Capitol Records LLC
Joaquin Rodrigo, ComposerLyricist - Hugh Jones, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHICK COREA, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Return To Forever, MainArtist
℗ 1973 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Rudy Van Gelder, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Chambers, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Wynton Kelly, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Wes Montgomery, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Cobb, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Wynton Kelly Trio, MainArtist - Creed Taylor, Producer
℗ 1965 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ray Barretto, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Rudy Van Gelder, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Stanley Turrentine, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Major Holley, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Burrell, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Bill English, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1999 Blue Note Records ℗ 1999 Blue Note Records
Weather Report, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Joe Zawinul, Composer, Keyboards - Wayne Shorter, Saxophone - Jaco Pastorius, Bass - Peter Erskine, Drums, Producer - Tony Zawinul, Executive Producer - Brian Risner, Engineer - Rich Breen, Mastering Engineer
(P) 2015 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Bob Cranshaw, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Billy Higgins, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Lee Morgan, Trumpet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Barry Harris, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Henderson, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Yoshida, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Capitol Records, LLC
Wild Bill Davis, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Count Basie, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie Green, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Jones, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - E.Y. HARBURG, Composer - Vernon Duke, Author - Sonny Payne, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Count Basie and his Orchestra, MainArtist - Norman Granz, Producer
℗ 1955 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ben Webster, Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RAY BROWN, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Coleman Hawkins, Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Herb Ellis, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Oscar Peterson, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Alvin Stoller, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Norman Granz, Producer
℗ 1959 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - McCoy Tyner, Composer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Blue Note Records
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Buddy Defranco, Associated Performer - The Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Buddy DeFranco, Associated Performer - Robert Maxwell, Composer, Lyricist - Brad McCuen, Producer - Matt Malneck, Composer, Lyricist - Don Sebesky, Arranger
Originally released 1967. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Michael Cuscuna, Producer - Rudy Van Gelder, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Freddie Hubbard, Composer, MainArtist
℗ 2004 Blue Note Records
H. Mason, Composer - H. Mason, Lyricist - Bennie Maupin, Performer - Material, Producer - Paul Jackson, Acoustic Bass - Herbie Hancock, Composer - Herbie Hancock, Lyricist - Herbie Hancock, Producer - Herbie Hancock, Keyboards - Herbie Hancock, Performer - B. Maupin, Composer - B. Maupin, Lyricist - David Rubinson, Producer - Bill Summers, Percussion - P. Jackson, Composer - P. Jackson, Lyricist - Harvey Mason, Drums
(P) 1973 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Billie Holiday, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Frank Sinatra, Composer, Lyricist - Irving Townsend, Producer - Elise Bretton, Soprano - Jack Wolf, Composer, Lyricist - Miriam Workman, Soprano - Barry Galbraith, Guitar - Joel Herron, Composer, Lyricist - Lois Sylvin, Soprano - Ray Ellis, Arranger, Conductor - David Sawyer, Cello - Phil Kraus, Percussion - Mal Waldron, Percussion - Osie Johnson, Drums - George Ockner, Violin - Milt Hinton, Bass - Janet Putnam, Harp - Danny Banks, Woodwinds - Phil Bodner, Woodwinds - Romeo Penque, Woodwinds - Mel Davis, Trumpet - Urbie Green, Trombone - J.J. Johnson, Trombone - Tom Mitchell, Trombone
Originally released 1958. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Ray Charles, Alto Saxophone, MainArtist - TOM DOWD, Engineer - Wesley Jackson, Guitar - Oscar Pettiford, Double Bass - Milt Jackson, MainArtist - Conrad "Connie Kay" Kimon, Drums - Clifton "Skeeter" Best, Guitar - Milton "Bags" Jackson, Piano, Writer - Willie Melvin "Billy" Mitchell, Tenor Saxophone
© 1958 Atlantic Records ℗ 1958 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International for the world outside of the United States.
Richard Davis, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Bobby Hutcherson, Vibraphone, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie Hubbard, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Dolphy, Composer, Bass Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Williams, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2012 Blue Note Records
Vince Guaraldi, Producer, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Monty Budwig, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Vince Guaraldi Trio, MainArtist - Colin Bailey, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 Concord Music Group, Inc.
Les Mccann, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Rudy Van Gelder, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alfred Lion, Producer - Stanley Turrentine, Composer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Herbie Lewis, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Otis Finch, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2005 Blue Note Records
Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Kamasi Washington, MainArtist
2015 Brainfeeder 2015 Brainfeeder
Keith Jarrett, Composer, Producer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Martin Pearson, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2019 ECM Records GmbH
Tom Skinner, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Eddie Hick, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Shabaka Hutchings, Producer, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Sons Of Kemet, MainArtist - Dilip Harris, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Theon Cross, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer - Moses Boyd, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2018 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Norman Gimbel, ComposerLyricist - Astrud Gilberto, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Vinicius De Moraes, ComposerLyricist - António Carlos Jobim, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Joao Gilberto, MainArtist - Stan Getz, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy Williams, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Milton Banana, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Creed Taylor, Producer
℗ 1964 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ralph Carmichael, Conductor, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Nat King Cole, MainArtist - Lee Gillette, Producer - Bert Kaempfert, ComposerLyricist - Ron McMaster, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Milton Gabler, ComposerLyricist - Bobby Bryant, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2004 Capitol Records, LLC
Nina Simone, Performer - Albert "Tootie" Heath, Performer - Jimmy Bond, Performer - Gus Kahn, Lyricist - Walter Donaldson, Composer - Nina Simone, Composer
2013 Bethlehem Records 2013 Bethlehem Records
Tommy Goodman, Conductor - Unknown, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Armstrong, Trumpet, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grady Tate, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Allen Hanlon, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE DAVID WEISS, ComposerLyricist - Hank Jones, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Jerome Richardson, Clarinet, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - J.J. Johnson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Clark Terry, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - George Douglas, ComposerLyricist - Bob Thiele, Producer - Joe Wilder, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Russell Savakus, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - EDDIE BRACKETT, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Urbie Green, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Simpson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Trimboli, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Art Ryerson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Markowitz, Clarinet, Flute, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Stanfield, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Willard Suyker, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Hard, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1967 UMG Recordings, Inc., Mit freundlicher Genehmigung: Universal Music GmbH, Austria
Tommy Lipuma, Producer - Burt Bacharach, Composer - Hal David, Author - CLAUS OGERMAN, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Luis Conte, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Christian McBride, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Erskine, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Diana Krall, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Romero Lubambo, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2001 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc., Mit freundlicher Genehmigung: Universal Music GmbH
Johnny Mercer, ComposerLyricist - Jerome Kern, ComposerLyricist - Philly Joe Jones, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chet Baker, Trumpet, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Drew, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - George Morrow, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Grauer, Producer
℗ 2019 Craft Recordings.
Ella Fitzgerald, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Armstrong, Trumpet, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Rich, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Irving Berlin, ComposerLyricist - RAY BROWN, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Herb Ellis, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Oscar Peterson, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Buddy Bregman, Conductor, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Norman Granz, Producer - Hugo Cipolatti, Adapter
℗ 1956 UMG Recordings, Inc.
George Gershwin, Composer - Ira Gershwin, Author - Sarah Vaughan, MainArtist - Bob Shad, Producer - Hal Mooney and His Orchestra, Orchestra
℗ 1957 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Billie Holiday, MainArtist - Edward Heyman, ComposerLyricist - Frank Eyton, ComposerLyricist - Robert Sour, ComposerLyricist - Carl Drinkard, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Carson Smith, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Coleman Hawkins, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Burrell, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chico Hamilton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - John W. Green, ComposerLyricist - Tony Scott, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Roy Eldridge, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Norman Granz, Producer
℗ 1956 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Cole Porter, Composer - Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, Ensemble, MainArtist
(C) 2018 Jube Legends (P) 2018 Jube Legends
Andy Razaf, Author - Ella Fitzgerald, MainArtist - Count Basie, MainArtist - Fats Waller, ComposerLyricist - Harry Brooks, ComposerLyricist - Norman Granz, Producer
℗ 1963 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Arif Mardin, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ned Washington, Composer - HOAGY CARMICHAEL, Composer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Norah Jones, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Parker, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dick Kondas, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Capitol Records LLC
Dave Brubeck Quartet, Ensemble - Paul Desmond, Composer
(C) 2016 Jube Legends (P) 2016 Jube Legends
Phil Ramone, Producer - Edward Heyman, Author - Frank Eyton, ComposerLyricist - Robert Sour, Author - Amy Winehouse, MainArtist - John W. Green, ComposerLyricist - Tony Bennett, MainArtist
℗ 2011 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment, under license in the U.S. to Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Aretha Franklin, Performer - Buddy Lucas, Tenor Saxophone - Ernie Hayes, Piano - Gary Chester, Drums - George Duvivier, Bass - Maria Grever, Composer - Maria Grever, Lyricist - Robert Mersey, Arranger - Robert Mersey, Conductor - Robert Mersey, Producer - Robert Mersey & His Orchestra, Performer - Stanley Adams, Composer - Stanley Adams, Lyricist - Teddy Charles, Vibraphone
Originally released 1964. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Ella Fitzgerald, MainArtist - Louis Armstrong, MainArtist - RAY BROWN, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Benny Goodman, ComposerLyricist - Edgar Sampson, ComposerLyricist - Herb Ellis, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Louie Bellson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chick William Webb, ComposerLyricist - Oscar Peterson, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Norman Granz, Producer - Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1957 UMG Recordings, Inc., Mit freundlicher Genehmigung: Universal Music Group International
Doug Watkins, Double Bass, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sonny Rollins, Composer, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy Flanagan, Piano, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Max Roach, Drums, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1956 Prestige Records, Inc.
António Carlos Jobim, ComposerLyricist - Stan Getz, MainArtist - NEWTON MENDONCA, ComposerLyricist - Bill Reichenbach, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Byrd, MainArtist - Buddy Deppenschmidt, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gene Byrd, Double Bass, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keter Betts, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Creed Taylor, Producer
℗ 1962 UMG Recordings, Inc.
About Playlist
Enjoy the finest in jazz in the best possible audio quality. Enjoy Hi-Res tracks from legends including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans Trio, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Cannonball Adderley, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Billie Holiday, Wayne Shorter, Wes Montgomery, Coleman Hawkins, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Keith Jarrett and Stan Getz.
Photo : John Coltrane
The Struggles of Nina Simone
by Marc Zisman
Although today she is seen as one of the most original voices in jazz and soul, Nina Simone's life was anything but a smooth and gentle climb to the top. The woman who dreamed of being the first black American classical pianist had to struggle against others, against her own family, and even against herself.
This latest fight backfired. Her concerts were cancelled one after another; her husband forbade her from learning to use a gun; her family was asking for more and more financial support; the taxman was pursuing her for incredible sums: Nina Simone had never felt so alone. Worse, her character was becoming increasingly out of control and her speech was at times incoherent. In September 1970, she threw in the towel, leaving Andrew and her native country, heading for Barbados. Four years later, she flew for Liberia in Africa, accompanied by her daughter Lisa. In the film What Happened, Miss Simone? she describes this time as the happiest of her life. There, however, her behaviour went seriously off the rails and Nina, formerly a beaten wife herself, in turn started beating her own daughter. This unbearable situation pushed the 14-year-old to return to live with her father in the United States. Her delusions were mounting up – she said she had hated playing the piano since she was 4 years old – and her resources were drying up. She recorded a few albums that met with mixed success both critically and commercially (It Is Finished for RCA in 1974 and Baltimore for CTI in 1978). Her need for money led her to fly to Europe where she hoped for a warm reception from fans.
She headed first to Switzerland and then to France, where she settled in 1981. She lived in a Parisian flat that she didn't take care of very well, and made her living in small venues like the Trois Mailletz. Her comeback failed to make a splash, and the clubs weren't selling out. But Nina spent the last few years of her life performing on European stages (London, Montreux) and producing a few final albums (in 1982 Fodder on My Wings for Carrère, in 1987 Let It Be Me for Verve and in 1993 A Single Woman for Elektra). Demons gnawed at her, but medicine helped her stay afloat. Her schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were treated with Trilafon, a very powerful antipsychotic. On stage, her soulful, high-priestess voice was no longer quite the same. Her personal life was a disaster, her loneliness was worse than ever, but thanks to Chanel, the public remembered her again. In 1993, she moved to Bouc-Bel-Air near Aix, alternating between concerts around the world (São Paulo, Seattle, Marciac...) and bouts of insanity (setting fire to her house, shooting a neighbour...). On 21 April 2003, she lost one more battle, this one to breast cancer. Two days earlier, however, Nina Simone had won a different fight. And it was a big one: the Philadelphia Curtis Institute, which had rejected her so many years before, finally awarded her an honorary degree.
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