

Married to: Don Ross (married in 1958), Andrew Stroud (married in 1961)Īlso Known As: the High Priestess of Soul Nina Simone: Quick Factsīirthplace: Tryon, North Carolina, United Statesīuried: her ashes were scattered in a number of African countriesĮducation: Allen High School for Girls, Asheville, North Carolina, Juilliard School of Music, New York City The article below delves right into the major facts and achievements of Nina Simone – America’s High Priestess of Soul. Regardless of those hardships and somewhat troubled life, Simone went on to become a huge music icon and a renowned civil rights activist, whose songwriting exploits have inspired several musicians, especially African-American musicians.

Growing up in a poor family in North Carolina, Simone once stated that when she started playing piano at nightclubs in Atlantic City, New Jersey, she had to hide her choice of profession from her family, as they considered it “the devil’s music”.

Nina Simone was one of the most critically acclaimed African-American vocalists to grace the world of music.
