Nina Simone

Singer With a career spanning over 50 years, Nina Simone created a legacy that continues to live to this day. The jazz vocalist, pianist, songwriter and arranger made her debut in 1958 with Little Girl Blue, which featured her rendition of "I Loves Your Porgy" from the classic opera Porgy and Bess (it's the only version to become a Top 20 hit in the States and Simone's only record to chart Billboard's Top 40). She went on to record more than 40 albums and used her music genius to assist in the civil rights movement during the '60s and '70s. Her style, creativity and musical ability has influenced everyone from jazz legends and pop stars to R&B powerhouses and hard-core rappers.  Nina, a biographical film in honor of the legendary singer, which features Zoe Saldana as Simone, is scheduled for release in 2013.