Sometimes I sound like gravel, and sometimes I sound like coffee and cream.
Nina SimoneRead
To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt, and that's not what I play. I play black classical music.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Nina Simone emphasizes that jazz is often misrepresented and underappreciated, as it is deeply rooted in African American culture and artistry.
In this quote, Nina Simone reflects on how the genre of jazz is often stereotyped by predominantly white audiences who associate it with negativity or 'dirt.' She asserts her identity as a performer who plays 'black classical music,' highlighting the sophistication and richness of jazz, which deserves recognition for its cultural significance and artistry beyond the superficial judgments often imposed by society.
Themes
JazzMusicCultureIdentityArtistry
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the evolution of jazz in a music history class.
More from Nina Simone
All quotes βJazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.
Nina SimoneRead
I only knew classical music, which to me was the only true music. The only way I could survive at the bar was to mix the classical music with popular songs, and that meant I had to sing. What happened was that I discovered I had a voice plus the talent to mix classical music together with more popular songs, which at the time I detested.
Nina SimoneRead
Everything that happened to me as a child involved music. It was part of everyday life, as automatic as breathing.
Nina SimoneRead
I didn't get interested in music. It was a gift from God.
Nina SimoneRead
This may be a dream, but I'll say it anyway: I was supposed to be married last year, and I bought a gown. When I meet Nelson Mandela, I shall put on this gown and have the train of it removed and put aside, and kiss the ground that he walks on and then kiss his feet.
Nina SimoneRead
Similar quotes
Rock'n'roll as a genre is different from pop and hip hop: it is about bands, and that for me suggests brotherhood, family, friendship and community.
Steven Van ZandtRead
My mentor was Clara Ward of the famous Ward gospel singers of Philadelphia. And my dad was my coach. He coached me. And just my natural love for music is what drove me.
Aretha FranklinRead
In 1939, a newspaper ran a competition for the first load of boys off to war to pick their favourite singer. They chose me from my radio broadcasts. That's when I became known as the 'forces' sweetheart.'
Vera LynnRead
With the Beatles, we'd been very spoiled because we had George Martin who worked for the record label we were going to be signed to. That was very fortunate, because we grew together.
Paul MccartneyRead
I don't think people go to musicians for their political points of view. I think your political point of view is circumstances and then how you were nurtured and brought up.
Bruce SpringsteenRead
I owe very, very much to Mozart; and if one studies, for instance, the way in which I write for string quartet, then one cannot deny that I have learned this directly from Mozart. And I am proud of it!
Arnold SchoenbergRead