Artistic freedom Quote by Dianne Reeves

Nina Simone was a gifted and prolific singer, songwriter and pianist who became a powerful presence in the civil rights movement and paid a…

— Michel Martin

I loved her music and the fact that she was a classically trained pianist and that her voice was so unique, but what made…

— India Arie

I write to music, and Nina Simone is always on my playlist to write to. I mean, shes inspiring. She's truthful and real and…

— Gina Prince-Bythewood

I think Nina Simone has had an amazing journey. She was spicy and she had attitude and she didn't care, she wanted her money…

— Nia Long

I just think she was a wonderful woman. What I think of when I think of Nina [Simone] is someone that I could relate…

— Nikki Giovanni

I think it's fair to say that Nina Simone was a prodigy.

— Michel Martin

Nina Simone sacrificed so much to be as bold as she was about being black and about being female in an era where that…

— India Arie

Nina Simone was an entertainer. Bob Dylan was an entertainer. Anyone that can occupy a piece of music and make the air catch on…

— Michael Gira

Nina Simone's music is incredibly honest. That's like saying, "Why does Jesus' word still stay around?" It's incredibly honest and it's good.

— Nikki Giovanni

I think that too many strangers were in her [Nina Simone's] life, and not enough people that she knew and loved.

— Nikki Giovanni

I love Simone Rocha. I just think she's really clever.

— Alexa Chung

Nina Simone, to me, singing about black culture - she's unparalleled.

— Salim Akil