Nina Simone

American jazz singer, although may be more accurate to classify her as a "soul" singer because of the emotion that permeates her material, or as an eclectic because of her signature blend of soul, jazz, blues, gospel and pop. Simone’s version of George Gershwin’s "I Loves You Porgy," 1959, became the only Top 40 Hit of her career on June 22 , but her music never gained a mass audience during her life.

The sixth of eight children, Eunice Kathleen Waymon’s mother was a minister who worked as a maid, and her father was a handyman. From the time she was old enough to pull herself up onto the piano bench, she loved music. In 1938 (at age 6) she became the official pianist of the Methodist Chapel of Tryon and began to attend school for black children.

Her mother’s employer paid for her first piano lessons, and she gave her first recital spring 1943. This marked an important time in her life because she personally experienced racism for the first time. Her parents, initially seated in the first row at the recital, were moved so that "whites" could be "properly" seated, and her deep commitment to fight racism was born. Later the town of Tyron got together and created a fund to help her realize the full extent of her dream to become a classical pianist. In 1950, she won a scholarship to study the piano at the Juilliard School in New York. When her family moved to Philadelphia, she applied for a fellowship at the renowned Curtis Institute, but her request was denied. In 1954, she took a job at a bar and grill in Atlantic City. Knowing her mother would not approve of her working there, she adopted the stage name of Nina Simone. Her success at the club led to other gigs in the area, and in 1957, she got a recording session with Bethlehem Records. Her first jazz album, "Little Girl Blue," was successful nationwide.

Her initial success continued, and over the next five years, she recorded ten albums.