Nina Simone was an incredible singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist who changed music forever. Famous for her unmistakable voice and blending jazz and blues, her songs are powerful and unforgettable. Here are 15 fascinating facts about the legendary vocalist that show why she still inspires us today!

1. Nina Simone was her stage name

Nina Simone’s real name was Eunice Kathleen Waymon. She was born on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina. She changed her name to Nina Simone when she started performing so her religious family wouldn’t know she was began performing music at the Midtown Bar and Grill in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

2. She was a gifted pianist

From a young age, Nina Simone showed a special talent for the piano. She started playing at just 3 years old and later trained to become a classical pianist, dreaming of being the first black female classical concert pianist!

3. She was denied taking a music course in Philadelphia

Nina applied to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia but was rejected, which she believed was because she was black. This event motivated her to turn to jazz and blues, reshaping her future as a singer. Two days before she passed away in 2003, the Curtis Institute awarded her an honorary degree.

4. She released her first album in 1959

Nina Simone’s first album, Little Girl Blue, was released in 1959. It featured her hit cover of I Loves You, Porgy, which became her first Top 20 pop hit in the United States, launching her into fame.

5. She had an unmistakable singing style

Nina Simone was known for her distinctive contralto voice, which was deep, rich, and full of emotion. Her ability to express both joy and pain in her singing made her stand out from other singers of her time.

6. She was involved with the civil rights movement

Nina became involved in the Civil Rights Movement, which was a campaign to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United States of America. She wrote and performed songs which expressed her anger at this injustice, making her music a soundtrack for the fight for equality.

7. Her stage name has links to Spain and France

‘Nina’ came from a nickname given by a boyfriend (it means ‘little one’ in Spanish), and Simone was inspired by the French actress Simone Signoret. She chose this stage name to keep her musical career separate from her strict religious upbringing.

8. One of her biggest songs was originally written for a musical

One of Nina Simone’s most famous songs, Feeling Good, was originally written for a musical called The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. Her powerful recording of this song has been used in movies, TV shows, and adverts, making it one of her most popular songs. It’s featured on her 1965 album I Put a Spell on You.

9. She taught herself how to sing jazz

Although trained as a classical pianist, Nina Simone taught herself to sing jazz when nightclub owners asked her to perform vocal numbers. It was during these performances that her legendary singing career began!

10. Her daughter is also a singer

Nina Simone had one daughter, Lisa Simone, who became a singer too. Despite their often rocky relationship, Lisa has kept her mother’s legacy alive by performing tribute shows.

11. Nina Simone released a LOT of albums

Nina Simone was incredibly prolific during her long career, releasing over 40 albums! She recorded a wide variety of songs, from classic jazz standards to powerful anthems of protest and love. There’s lots to check out on different streaming platforms.

12. She added classical music into her performances

Nina Simone’s classical training never left her. She often mixed famous classical pieces into her performances, playing works by Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin alongside her jazz and blues songs.

13. She was invited to appear on Sesame Street

One of Nina’s most iconic songs, To Be Young, Gifted and Black, was written in tribute to her friend Lorraine Hansberry, a playwright and activist. The song became a celebration of Black pride and empowerment and she was invited to perform the song with some children on the TV show Sesame Street in 1972.

14. Her fashion choices reflected her African heritage

Nina had a unique, bold sense of style. From African-inspired head-wraps to glamorous gowns, she made powerful fashion statements on and off stage, showing confidence and pride in her African heritage.

15. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Though Nina Simone didn’t receive many awards during her life, her influence was recognised after she passed away in 2003 aged 70. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, cementing her place as a true music legend.