Nina Simone
MUSC137
09/30/2013
Jazz Performance
Nina Simone
I was not able to attend a live jazz performance due to my work schedule, so instead I watched a performance of my favorite jazz artist Nina Simone on Youtube. In this video she performed “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life” in London, 1968. I chose Nina Simone because I felt that whenever I watch her performances on Youtube I get the feeling that I’m actually there, watching her. I’ve never heard this song before watching this video.
In this performance she sings of a life with no material possessions, no family, and no love. The song starts out somber and it makes me feel sad and I wonder if I picked the right song to write this paper on. I feel myself relating to her woes, even though I have everything I need in life. I pay close attention to the people in the audience and notice that all of them are fixated on Ms. Simone. They know they are in the presence of an amazing performance and are hanging off of every word that is coming out of her mouth. I also notice the pain in her face and in her voice. She is literally putting all of her being behind every word and making the audience feel those emotions with her. As time goes by she moves on from singing about all that she doesn’t have to all that she does, which is her body and mind. The tempo changes and becomes more lively and joyous. I find myself bursting with happiness because these lyrics are making me feel grateful for being healthy and able bodied. Ms. Simone sings of having her nose, arms, legs, mouth, brain, liver, and life. She makes the listener become grateful for the little things in life. I can tell the audience is happy with the change in lyrics as well and I feel that the audience wants to get up and dance with joy. Towards the end of the song Ms. Simone is smiling, which causes me to smile as well.
I’m glad I chose this performance because I feel that watching it changed my whole mood on life. I know that sounds extreme, but since I saw
09/30/2013
Jazz Performance
Nina Simone
I was not able to attend a live jazz performance due to my work schedule, so instead I watched a performance of my favorite jazz artist Nina Simone on Youtube. In this video she performed “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life” in London, 1968. I chose Nina Simone because I felt that whenever I watch her performances on Youtube I get the feeling that I’m actually there, watching her. I’ve never heard this song before watching this video.
In this performance she sings of a life with no material possessions, no family, and no love. The song starts out somber and it makes me feel sad and I wonder if I picked the right song to write this paper on. I feel myself relating to her woes, even though I have everything I need in life. I pay close attention to the people in the audience and notice that all of them are fixated on Ms. Simone. They know they are in the presence of an amazing performance and are hanging off of every word that is coming out of her mouth. I also notice the pain in her face and in her voice. She is literally putting all of her being behind every word and making the audience feel those emotions with her. As time goes by she moves on from singing about all that she doesn’t have to all that she does, which is her body and mind. The tempo changes and becomes more lively and joyous. I find myself bursting with happiness because these lyrics are making me feel grateful for being healthy and able bodied. Ms. Simone sings of having her nose, arms, legs, mouth, brain, liver, and life. She makes the listener become grateful for the little things in life. I can tell the audience is happy with the change in lyrics as well and I feel that the audience wants to get up and dance with joy. Towards the end of the song Ms. Simone is smiling, which causes me to smile as well.
I’m glad I chose this performance because I feel that watching it changed my whole mood on life. I know that sounds extreme, but since I saw