Nina flew into Casablanca carrying a gun; She put the fear of God into two racist cops; Kidnapped a Rolls Royce with James Baldwin...
Nina Simone has been the subject of many researched books, interviews, and documentaries, but this book is written by her close friend, confidant, and musical accompanist. Al Schackman was her guitarist for over forty-three years, traveled the world with her, and experienced numerous adventures and amazing musical performances, including unveiling to the public Nina's "Mississippi Goddamn" at the Selma, Alabama March. His stories give true insight into her brilliance as well as her struggles with mental health challenges and relationships.
Al has also written fascinating, often amusing stories about his own musical career. He grew up playing in Black Brooklyn jazz clubs as a teenager, and was known as the "Skinny White Kid." He tells about being invited by Billie Holiday to accompany her on her iconic song "Fine and Mellow" when he was sixteen.
Al was lead guitarist for Harry Belafonte for five years and traveled with him and Martin Luther King on fundraising tours. He was a first call session player for Atlantic and Columbia records in New York, consequently recording with various artists from Neil Sedaka to Ben E. King to Sarah Vaughan. He was on the folk scene in Greenwich Village when Dylan was a young up and coming artist.
An entertaining and colorful storyteller, Al's insights and reflections into the many notable people he met and the events he experienced add special significance to his writing that makes great reading for a broad audience.
