Nina Simone was an American singer, pianist, composer and activist who became one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century music. Classically trained on piano, she developed a style blending jazz, blues, gospel, folk, soul and classical music, driven by a deep, expressive voice and lyrics often shaped by the struggle for civil rights and human dignity. With songs such as I Put a Spell on You, Sinnerman and Mississippi Goddam, Nina Simone left a profound mark on jazz, soul and socially conscious music.