To Be Young, Gifted and Black

Nina Simone · 1970 · live, Black Gold

Context

Composed by Nina Simone to lyrics by Weldon Irvine, in memory of her friend Lorraine Hansberry, whose autobiographical play gives the song its title. Premiered at the Harlem Cultural Festival on August 17, 1969, it was recorded live at Philharmonic Hall in New York for the album Black Gold (RCA, 1970); the single reached number 8 on the R&B chart and the song became an anthem of the civil rights movement.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese. Among the origins and influences of Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese: Classic blues (women singers), Swing, big bands, Bebop (Minton's, Monroe's).

By the same artist

• Four Women (1966)
• Feeling Good (1965)
• I Put a Spell on You (1965)
• Sinnerman (1965)
• Mississippi Goddam (1964)
• My Baby Just Cares for Me (1958)

Sources

• EN: To Be Young, Gifted and Black

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