Meet Nina Simone, global star who graced shores of Trinidad and Tobago during 1974 Carnival season

Trinidad and Tobago: The Carnival Institute and Regional Carnival (CIRC) of Trinidad and Tobago familiar the public with Nina Simone. While updating about the “Topic Tuesday,” the Carnival Institute mentioned that over the years, Trinidad and Tobago had played host to a number of celebrities. On this Topic Tuesday, we feature Nina Simone, yet another international star who graced our shores during the Carnival season of 1974.

According to the post by the institute, Nina Simone (1933-2003) was born Eunice Waymon. She was a world-famous American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop.

In addition to this, it informed that in 1974 the Mighty Sparrow won the Calypso Monarch competition. He defeated the likes of Lord Kitchener, Mighty Chalkdust and Lord Superior, among others, with his two songs “We Pass That Stage” and “Miss Mary.” For placing first, Sparrow received $2000, the Trinidad Hilton Prize, a crown, the Prime Minister’s Trophy and a silver tray worth $35.

On the hand, to crown Sparrow was Nina Simone, as seen in a Trinidad Guardian newspaper clipping dated February 26th, 1974. In the Trinidad Carnival Magazine of 1974 are pictures of her having a ball of a time at Carnival with actors Albert Popplewell and Cicely Tyson in tow.