Nina Simone T-shirt

Nina Simone (1993 – 2003)

Nina Simone was an American pianist, singer, songwriter and activist in the Civil Rights Movement. Her musical styles ranged from classical, jazz, blues, R&B, and gospel to pop. Born Eunice Waymon, she changed her name so her family couldn’t find out she was earning a living playing at a nightclub in Atlantic City. Singing to her own accompaniment launched her career as a jazz vocalist.

Simone had always included songs in her repertoire that drew on her African-American heritage but from 1964 onwards she began to challenge racial inequality in the USA through her song writing, performing and recording.