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The Extraordinary Life of Nina Simone was Tragic and Empowering

Nina Simone - Jazz
Nina Simone in October 1969. Consequence of Sound

23. Despite signing a contract with Coptix Records, Nina saw her commercial success as the means to fund her classical training

The Amazing Nina Simone’, Nina’s first recording for Coptix Records. CD and LP

After the success of Little Girl Blue, Nina signed a record deal with Coptix Records, a much bigger label than Bethlehem. Unlike Bethlehem, Coptix would actually promote her music without Nina having to shout at them, and most importantly handed over all creative control to the artist. But despite achieving a level of success that few musicians ever do, Nina still saw herself as a concert pianist releasing popular music to make ends meet and, more importantly, to pay for her private lessons, and was utterly indifferent to her fame and success away from classical recitals.

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I am a freelance historical and literary writer based in West Yorkshire, UK. I read for a funded PhD in English at the University of Oxford (Magdalen College) and graduated in 2016. I am a former lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London. My publications include peer-reviewed articles in academic publications, and pieces in mainstream magazines such as History Today and Fortean Times. For more information, please see www.drflight.co.uk

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