Simone, Nina (1933–2003)

African-American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, Feb 21, 1933, in Tryon, NC; died April 21, 2003, in Carry-le-Rouet, France; dau. of John Divan Waymon (day laborer) and Mary Kate Irvin (minister); attended Juilliard School in NY; m. Donald Ross, 1958 (div. 1959); m. Andy Stroud, 1961 (div. 1970); children: Lisa Celeste Stroud (b. 1961, singer as Lisa Simone Kelly).

Perhaps one of the most difficult singers to categorize, began playing piano at 3; intent on becoming the 1st black concert pianist, earned scholarship to Juilliard; when racism intervened, played and sang in a nightclub (1954), changing name to Nina Simone; cut album Little Girl Blue (1957), which included "I Loves You, Porgy," a Top-20 hit; had 1st concert at NY's Town Hall; released at least 9 albums, half of which were live (1960s), then 7 more in a 3-year period; wrote "Mississippi Goddam" which became an anthem for the civil rights movement; for the rest of the decade, was regarded as the singer of the civil-rights movement, with songs like "Sunday in Savannah," "Backlash Blues," and the ballad "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black"; tired of racism in US, began a 15-year exile (1970), residing in Switzerland, Liberia, Barbados, France and England; recorded little with the exception of the critically acclaimed album Baltimore (1978); returned to US (1985), performing in several concerts and recording album Nina's Back; re-release of her 1958 rendition of "My Baby Just Cares for Me" became a hit in Europe (1987); settled in Bouc-Bel-Air in south of France (1991); signed with Elektra, recording A Single Woman, and was featured on soundtrack of film Point of No Return (1993).

See also autobiography (with Stephen Cleary), I Put a Spell on You (1991); and Women in World History.