21/02/1933 – 21/04/2003
Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in 1933 in North Carolina, USA, and passed away in 2003, was a prolific artist whose talent transcended musical genres. A classically trained pianist, she fused jazz, blues, folk, and gospel in her music while becoming a powerful voice for civil rights in the United States.
Simone began her career playing in jazz clubs and quickly gained a reputation thanks to her deep, expressive voice and unique piano style. Her performances were charged with emotion and often infused with poignant social commentary, as seen in her songs “Mississippi Goddam” and “Strange Fruit,” which denounce racism and injustice.
Besides her musical contributions, Nina Simone was also known for her bold and distinctive personal style, which often included African hairstyles, flowing long dresses, and statement jewelry. She embodied elegance and confidence, using her appearance to express both her artistic identity and political convictions.