"To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt, and that's not what I play. I play black classical music"

Nina Simone's quote, "To most white individuals, jazz implies black and jazz means dirt, and that's not what I play. I play black symphonic music", is an extensive commentary on the racial and cultural understandings of jazz and the wider ramifications of these perceptions on African American artistry. Simone, an iconic figure in both the Civil Rights Movement and in music history, utilized her platform to resolve concerns of race, identity, and recognition.

To start with, this quote underscores the racialized lens through which jazz was often viewed in the mid-20th century America. Jazz, a genre that originated in African American neighborhoods, was regularly marginalized and derogatorily associated with being unsophisticated or "dirty" by mainstream white audiences. This perspective reduced the complexity, artistry, and richness inherent in jazz music, showing wider social prejudices versus African Americans.

Simone's assertion that she plays "black symphonic music" difficulties these narrow understandings. By aligning her deal with the term "classical", she raises the category to the exact same level of sophistication and cultural regard traditionally paid for to European symphonic music. This term highlights the complexity, depth, and formal development present in jazz and more comprehensive African American musical traditions. It also asserts the fundamental value of Black art and imagination, countering stereotypes that devalue contributions from Black artists.

Additionally, Simone's statement speaks to her own creative identity and her rejection to abide by restricting definitions imposed by a racially biased society. It shows an intentional reclaiming of jazz as an art type of dignity and intellectual merit, not simply entertainment or stereotype. By reframing her music as "black symphonic music", Simone asserts both her own artistic agency and the historic and cultural significance of African American music traditions.

In summary, Nina Simone's quote is an effective critique of racial biases in music, a statement of pride in African American cultural contributions, and an assertion of the dignified, classical nature of her artistic work.