Valerie Simpson Added to Lineup of Women's Association Gala

The Women's Association of NJPAC's Spotlight Gala 2018 kicks off NJPAC's season and benefits NJPAC and its arts education programs.

Celebrating the Music of Lena, Billie and Sarah, a one-time-only performance, features special surprise guest Valerie Simpson and music greats Cyrille Aimée, Southside Johnny, Raul Midón, Alice Smith, and Bernie Williams, performing songs made famous by jazz divas Lena Horne, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan. Hosted by six-time GRAMMY®-winning bassist Christian McBride and his Big Band!

Singer Valerie Simpson is half of the songwriting/performing/producing entity formerly known as Ashford & Simpson. Their award-winning collaborations began four decades ago and she, along with her late husband Nick Ashford, have penned classic hits such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need to Get By," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Your Precious Love."

See the country's biggest names in jazz, appearing under the direction of the multi-GRAMMY winner Christian McBride, NJPAC's Jazz Advisor. From "Stormy Weather" and "Strange Fruit" to "Summertime" and "Misty," expect exciting and original renditions of numbers that will be forever associated with the voices of three legends known simply as Lena, Billie and Sarah.

A past winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition at NJPAC, Cyrille Aimée was a finalist in the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her talents recently caught the attention of Stephen Sondheim, who cast her in a special Encore presentation at City Center.

GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón "plays with such freedom and joy that his hands smile," writes the Huffington Post. His 2016 rendering of John Coltrane's classic "Giant Steps" - which sees him fly through all 12 keys - has earned more than 1.2 million views via Facebook.

Alice Smith ("Fool for You," "I Put a Spell on You") is a passionate singer-songwriter who has an unshakable sense of self and the attitude to match. She was raised on a steady diet of gospel, pop, soul and go-go. Her sophomore album, She, is an intoxicating mixture of rock, pop and R&B.

Retired New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams, a four-time World Series Champion and five-time All Star, never gave up his passion for the guitar. His critically acclaimed debut album, 2003's The Journey Within, featured fusions of jazz, rock and the tropical rhythms of his Puerto Rican heritage. He is a Latin GRAMMY nominee.

Performance only tickets are just $50.00 and can be reserved starting Friday, August 3rd at 10 a.m. by visiting www.njpac.org or by calling 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722.)

For full Gala tickets and sponsorship, contact Sarah Rosen at srosen@njpac.org or call 973.297.5806 or wanjpac.org. Full Gala tickets include the performance as well as a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and a dessert extravaganza.

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