Nina Simone Nina Simone ([/ˈniːnə sɪˈmoʊn/] [NEE-nə sim-OHN]; born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) was an American pianist, singer, songwriter, and [civil rights] [activist]. Her music spanned styles including [classical], [folk], [gospel], [blues], [jazz], [R&B], and [pop]. Her piano playing was strongly influenced by [baroque] and classical music, especially [Johann Sebastian Bach], and accompanied expressive, jazz-like singing in her [contralto] voice.
