PENNSYLVANIA, April 13 - WHEREAS, Ms. Simone, who declined to perform until her

parents returned to the front, cited this incident as a

precursor to her involvement in the civil rights movement; and

WHEREAS, Discouraged but undeterred, Ms. Simone began taking

private lessons while also teaching music to local students to

support herself; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, to supplement her income, Ms. Simone

auditioned at the Midtown Bar and Grill in Atlantic City, New

Jersey, a defining moment in her career; and

WHEREAS, Knowing that her mother would not approve of

singing in bars, Ms. Simone adopted the stage name "Nina Simone"

at that time; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, at age 24, Ms. Simone signed with Bethlehem

Records, where she would record her debut album "Little Girl

Blue," featuring her iconic version of George Gershwin's "I

Loves You, Porgy" and her rendition of "My Baby Just Cares For

Me," a standard in her live performances; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Simone's next album, "The Amazing Nina Simone,"

recorded with Colpix records, brought critical acclaim and an

opportunity to perform at her first major New York City venue,

Town Hall in Midtown Manhattan, where her momentous September

12, 1959, show was recorded for a subsequent album, "Nina Simone

at Town Hall"; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Simone emerged as a captivating and dynamic live

performer, showcasing her improvisational genius with a wide-

reaching repertoire that incorporated classical, jazz, blues,

folk, pop, show tunes and gospel genres and an equally nuanced

and emotive vocal presence; and

WHEREAS, The 1960s through early 1970s proved to be Ms.

Simone's most prolific period, yielding such iconic renditions

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