Valerie Simpson News

The Broadway Education Alliance has announced that the Camp Broadway Ensemble will perform with The New York Pops at their 41st Birthday Gala at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm. 

Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Art Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel Jr., Courtney Hadwin, Valerie Simpson, Patty Smyth, Ruben Studdard, Adrienne Warren, Diane Warren, and Avery Wilson will now join The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, to honor Clive Davis.

Tony Award-winning vocalist Melba Moore and GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, producer Kathy Sledge joined award-winning filmmaker and photographer Sekou Luke (Notes from Harlem) and noted music journalist Christian John Wikane (PopMatters) in the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center on Saturday, April 6 for the fourth edition of 'Unscripted Live,' the live branch of 'Unscripted: Conversations with Christian John Wikane,' an interview series that spotlights the stories of legendary and innovative artists. The evening was featured as part of Lincoln Center's 2024 American Songbook. See photos from inside the event!

Watch and/or share the videos for the previously released singles “Better Than This,” “Make The World Go Away,” and “Two Bleeding Hearts.” In late February, he will be an official showcase artist at Folk Alliance International, the world's largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. 

Tony Award-winning composer Brenda Russell joined award-winning filmmaker and photographer Sekou Luke and noted music journalist Christian John Wikane in The Loft at City Winery on Monday, October 16 for the third edition of 'Unscripted Live,' the live branch of 'Unscripted: Conversations with Christian John Wikane'. See photos!

The title would not only mark their final release under MCA Records but also their last studio album for 20 years. Featuring the Top 10 hit “Hey Nineteen,” plus such classic cuts as “Babylon Sisters” and “Time Out of Mind,” Gaucho also boasts a who's who of legendary guest musicians, including Mark Knopfler, Michael McDonald and Bernard Purdie.

Harris Center for the Arts will present Queen of the Night! Remembering Whitney next month. Get performance information here!

The National Symphony Orchestra’s intent this weekend was to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of native son Marvin Gaye’s classic “What’s Going On” album, a high water mark for both social commentary and Motown soul. 

See photos of Tony, Emmy, and GRAMMY Award-winning performing artist André De Shields and more at The Loft at City Winery for 'Unscripted Live,' an interview series that spotlights the stories of legendary artists, their resilience, and their creative regeneration.

Tony, Emmy, and GRAMMY Award-winning performing artist André De Shields ('Hadestown,' 'Ain't Misbehavin,' 'The Wiz') joins award-winning filmmaker and photographer Sekou Luke (Notes from Harlem) and noted music journalist Christian John Wikane (PopMatters) at The Loft at City Winery on Monday, November 28 for 'Unscripted Live.'

Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Sekou Luke (Notes from Harlem) and noted music journalist Christian John Wikane (PopMatters) presented 'Unscripted' Live at the Apollo Theater Soundstage on Monday night (May 23).

R&B/Soul singer-songwriter, pianist, and entrepreneur Leah Harris debuted her new single, 'Shine.' Leah wrote this song with inspiration from the unique creative journeys undertaken by artists and entrepreneurs.

The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, presented Get Happy: That Nelson Riddle Sound on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 8:00pm in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. 

The Majestic Theater will feature Damien Sneed in a production in honor of Black History Month and Aretha Franklin. A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul will take place on February 16th at 7:30pm. With a legendary career spanning several generations and a multitude of genres, Aretha Franklin truly earned her title, 'The Queen of Soul.'

Aretha Franklin is recognized as the most successful female recording artist in history, with 112 charted singles on Billboard, 18 Grammy Awards, and over 75 million records sold. Her  legendary career rightfully earned her the title, “The Queen of Soul.”

Hard to believe this month marks 55 years since the release of Aretha Franklin’s colossal worldwide hit “Respect' (Feb. 14, 1967). And who better to celebrate the musical legacy of the late icon of soul than with the gigantic personality of the musician and composer Damien Sneed and six-time Grammy Nominee Valerie Simpson -- at 'The Queen of Soul: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin' this Saturday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m., at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC).

The 21C Music Festival continues with the return of Canadian violinist Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà, the superb all-female string ensemble featuring some of Canada's best musicians, on February 25 with a program titled Elle – 25th Anniversary Concert.

The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) will host 'The Queen of Soul: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin' on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 at 8 p.m. A dynamic presentation celebrating the amazing musical legacy of the late icon of soul, the show is the creation of accomplished musician and composer Damien Sneed who toured with and was mentored by Franklin herself.

Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater will rock with the sounds of soul legend Aretha Franklin on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. with “A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul.” The concert will be presented live by musician, vocalist and composer Damien Sneed, and singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson, of Ashford & Simpson.

Valerie Simpson plays Aretha Franklin, in A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul. Simpson is a six-time Grammy Nominee and renowned singer and songwriter. She is half of the songwriting-performing-producing entity known as Ashford & Simpson.