This is a recording of the spoken word theatre/performance work, blues for nina, written about the life of Nina Simone, commissioned by Carolyn Holbrook and Dejunius Hughes (who sadly passed away in 2007), for the opening of the Twin Cities Black Film Festival in 1997. It featured a narrator/griot, a poet named nina, and Nina the singer, performed with a backing band.

"When Dejunius called me and asked if S.A.S.E. would be willing to co-sponsor this event. He said when he was going to do Love Jones, the first thing he thought was call S.A.S.E. When he called me, the first thing I thought was call (E.G.) Bailey because I knew that he would develop a performance that would be so bad that people who weren't interested in poetry before they came, would be very interested in poetry and writing and literature." - Carolyn Holbrook

nina simone was born eunice kathleen waymon on 21 february 1933 in tyron, north carolina to a family of eight children. she was the sixth. a musical progidy, she taught herself the piano and the organ by the age of seven. and was regularly featured in her mother's church choir, singing and playing. with the assistance of a local music teacher, a fund was established for her to recieve musicial training at a high school in asheville, north carolina. she graduated valedictorian and received a scholarship to the julliard school of music.

her family moved to philidelphia, where she hoped to continue her studies at the curtis institute of music. however, when she was turned down she began teaching music and accompanying vocalists in order to continue her studies. discovering how much more money one of her students was making playing nightclubs in atlantic city, she moved there during the summers. but afraid that her mother would learn that she was playing in bars, she changed her name to nina simone.

she was soon signed by bethelem records and released an album in 1959. a version of "i loves you porgy" became an instant hit. and the rest. well the rest, as they say, is her story.

'she has a flair, but no air. she has class but does not wear it on her shoulders. only chips. she is unique. you either like her or you don't. if you don't, you won't. if you do––wheee-ouuu-eu! you do!' –– langston hughes

'music always has been and always will be the soundtrack to life. the greatest artists are the ones that most clearly reflect the collective consciousness and emotions of the times. singer/musician/poet/arranger/writer/activist nina simone is a true artist. her work boldly resonates what her ears hear, what her eyes see, and most importantly, what her heart feels.' –– barry levenson

'no single female voice has so furiously assulted injustice, ranging from racism to adultery, in my lifetime.' –– ntozake shange