Nina Simone 's career has spanned nearly 50 years and brought her worldwide fame - but not always happiness. Helen Mayhew presents the story of a woman who changed jazz music and her country. In the first of three programmes, she explores
Simone's early years. Her story is told through her own words from a recent interview, and through her mother Mary, her brother Sam, guitarist
Al Schackman , music critic John Fordham , and jazz singer Dianne Reeves. See Friday's radio choices on page 139. Producer Sonia Beldom
Repeated Friday 11.30pm