Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; February 21, 1933 - April 21, 2003) was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist who worked in a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop.
Born in North Carolina, the sixth child of a preacher, Simone aspired to be a concert pianist. With the help of supporters in her hometown of Tryon, North Carolina, she enrolled in the Juilliard School of Music in New York but was unable to continue because of the high fees.