Freedom Singer
I've listened to Nina Simone's music for many years now, but I first truly discovered her after watching Questlove’s brilliant Oscar winning documentary “Summer of Soul’. “Summer of Soul” was the first time that I could put a face to the voice.
After I finished reading her autobiography. “I Put a Spell On You” I watched the brilliant Netflix documentary “What Happened, Miss Simone?” Now, I have become an even bigger fan. With the combination of classical and modern jazz and soul, I have discovered the perfect blend of rich harmony.
For those who don't have a big experience with Nina Simone, I recommend doing a deep dive into more of her music on YouTube or Spotify.
My favorite musical instrument has always been the piano. As long as I can ever remember, I’ve always loved the sound of the piano. My earliest memory involving the mystical sound was listening to Jerry Lee Lewis as a child. (Thanks, MTV)
When I was eight or nine years old I saw the bio-pic with Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis in “Great Balls of Fire.” I wanted to be a pianist. I wanted to kick my chair back from behind the piano and Boogie Woogie, just like Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard.
I learned the piano for a couple years, but I never really enjoyed it. Bad piano teacher, I guess. My teacher used to poke the under part my wrists with sharpened pencils if I dropped my hands too low. “Fuck That.” Maybe I would have stuck with it, but my love for the sound never faded.
I was lucky enough to see Jerry Lee Lewis in concert once back in 1999 when I was 18 years old. What an amazing experience!!! He was well into his 70’s and he could still shake, rattle and roll with the best of them.
From Jerry Lee to Elton, to Lady Gaga and now Nina Simone, my love for the piano his still as strong as ever.
Comments
Post a Comment