Nina Simone

Nina Simone was one of the most gifted vocalists of her generation, and also one of the most eclectic. Simone was a singer, pianist, and songwriter who bent genres to her will rather than allowing herself to be confined by their boundaries; her work swung back and forth between jazz, blues, soul, classical, R&B, pop, gospel, and world music, with passion, emotional honesty, and a strong grasp of technique as the constants of her musical career.

The iconic “Feeling Good” that Nina Simone turned into an industry standard with her interpretation of her landmark record I Put A Spell On You was released on June 1st, 1965. Not released as a single at its time, the track was used in a 1987 commercial for, oddly enough, fabric conditioner, and grew to great popularity. Later featured in a variety of cinematic and commercial soundtracks, “Feeling Good” arguably became Simone’s signature song, its pure optimism and soulful vocals blessing the ears of millions around the world.

In 1999 Tim Sebastian sat down with the singer and activist Nina Simone. With her vocal performances and civil rights activism, she built a fearsome reputation as someone not to be messed with. She worked with Martin Luther King and once even shot at someone who threatened to cheat her in a business deal.