Posted by | Ray Cornelius
If you haven’t guessed by now, I am a huge fan of Nina Simone. I was first introduced to her and her profound artistry when I moved to Atlanta back in 1998. My roommate at the time, Pamela Crutcher, was in love with her voice and played her music before she went to work or sometimes when she came home.
I actually got a chance to see Miss Simone in 2000 at Atlanta’s historic Chastain Park in what would be one of her last American performances. While I can’t remember much from that show (yes, I was tad bit tipsy), I do recall the “High Priestess of Soul” waving a gigantic white feather at the end of every song. It really added a whole new meaning to her tune, “I Put A Spell On You.” But trust me, we didn’t mind! Her iconic voice under the moonlit sky is a magical moment I will always treasure. Sadly, she died three years later at the age of 70.
Since that time, I have collected a number her albums and read a few books about her life including Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone.
With that said, it gives me great pleasure to announce that another documentary is being released about her life and will hit theaters October 16 with nationwide distribution on Oct. 23. This is actually the second documentary this year to be released about her and I absolutely love it. The first one was titled, “What Happened Miss Simone?” and premiered on Netflix in June. This new film is titled, “The Amazing Nina Simone” and is directed by Jeff L. Lieberman.
According to the film’s website, the story “brings audiences on Nina’s journey from the segregated South, through the worlds of classical music, jazz joints & international concert halls. Navigating through the twists & turns of the 1960’s fight for racial equality, the film delves deep into Nina’s artistry and intentions, answering long-held questions behind Ninaʼs most beloved songs, bold style, controversial statements, and the reason she left America.”
Check out a sneak peek below and click here to purchase your tickets!
Photo Credit: NinaSimone.com
