Нина Симон If there is one singer whose music reflected and still resonates with sophistication and spirit, it is Nina Simone. Her sound channeled the emotional spark of the day; her vibrato-rich voice reflected its innocence; her piano virtuosity elevated it with an air of elegance; her lyrics and song choices satisfied a need for intelligent social commentary. And she grounded it all with that thread of blackness LeRoi Jones in 1963 described as "the weight of the blues." Performing a far-reaching repertoire of Broadway ballads, gospel standards, folk tunes, and her own politically charged songs, Simone stirringly conveyed roots, cause, and connection.