Valerie Simpson News

Songwriters/performing artists Ashford & Simpson, GRAMMY-winning violinist Joshua Bell, , GRAMMY-winning creators of 'Les Misérables' — Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer and Claude-Michel Schönberg — and R&B singer/songwriter Trey Songz are recipients of the New York Chapter Recording Academy Honors 2013.

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced the production of a new music television series, American Songbook at NJPAC, taped before a live audience at the Arts Center and airing on NJTV and WNET this fall.

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced the production of a new music television series, American Songbook at NJPAC, taped before a live audience at the Arts Center and airing on NJTV and WNET this fall.

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL opened last night, April 14, 2013, at Broadway's The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46 Street). Many of the legendary stars that were part of the actual MOTOWN sound came out to celebrate the show and we got them all! Check out the photos below...

Mama, I Want To Sing, the classic 1983 gospel musical created by Vy Higginsen, will celebrate its 30th anniversary tonight, March 23, 2013 with a very special performance of Mama, I Want To Sing: The Next Generation at The Dempsey Theater, located in Harlem at 127 West 127th Street, between Lenox and 7th Avenues.

B. Michael, the American couturier and ready-to-wear designer whose eponymous label is among the most coveted by stylish and accomplished women around the world, presented the Fall/Winter 2013 b Michael Couture Collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on the evening of Wednesday, February 13. The b Michael America Couture Collection for Fall/Winter 2013 is comprised of 32 opulent and modern looks, which the designer created to reflect the essence of our most magnificent sense of self. Flirting with imagination and extravagant notions of style, the Collection offers an array of textures ranging from silk satin and tapestry to chiffon and crocheted lace, with womanly silhouettes. The palette is rich with saturated jewel tones and textured black.

Tonight, February 8, leading multi-channel retailer HSN will kick off an innovative multi-concert, marketing deal with The Venetian Las Vegas when it hosts a special HSN Live concert event featuring Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and multi-platinum selling artist Michael Bolton.

Tony Winner, Disney Legend Lea Salonga ('Miss Saigon,' 'Les Miserables') opened this year's Lincoln Center presents 'American Songbook' concert series, a 15-year-old annual tribute to great American songwriters, past and present, to sold-out crowd at The Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center last night. BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive highlights from the concert below!

Tony Winner, Disney Legend Lea Salonga ('Miss Saigon,' 'Les Miserables') opened this year's Lincoln Center presents 'American Songbook' concert series, a 15-year-old annual tribute to great American songwriters, past and present, to sold-out crowd at The Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center last night.

Mama, I Want To Sing, the classic 1983 gospel musical created by Vy Higginsen, will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Saturday, March 23, 2013 with a very special performance of Mama, I Want To Sing: The Next Generation at The Dempsey Theater, located in Harlem at 127 West 127th Street, between Lenox and 7th Avenues. This Gala event, taking place exactly 30 years to the day from when the original production opened in Harlem to great acclaim, benefits Gospel for Teens, a program of the Mama Foundation for the Arts' School for Gospel, Jazz, and R&B Arts.

Centric, today's 24-hour music and entertainment channel for African American and multicultural viewers, announced today its 2013 programming line up to celebrate Black History Month.

On February 8, leading multi-channel retailer HSN will kick off an innovative multi-concert, marketing deal with The Venetian Las Vegas when it hosts a special HSN Live concert event featuring Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and multi-platinum selling artist Michael Bolton.

In celebration of Black History Month and as part of its year-round commitment to diverse programming, PBS today announced an on-air lineup commemorating the contributions of African Americans in music, dance, television and civil rights, providing an in-depth look at key figures and events that shaped black - and American - history.

On February 8, leading multi-channel retailer HSN will kick off an innovative multi-concert, marketing deal with The Venetian Las Vegas when it hosts a special HSN Live concert event featuring Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and multi-platinum selling artist Michael Bolton.

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook will celebrate the best in American singing and songwriting starting January 30, 2013. Opening night belongs to Lea Solanga, who captivated Broadway audiences with her debut in Miss Saigon many years ago and has since become the voice of Disney movie princesses as well as starring in other major musicals.

Lincoln Center has announced the following upcoming events.

The HistoryMakers will welcome and honor Berry Gordy, Jr., founder of Motown Records, during AN EVENING WITH BERRY GORDY on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at The Art Institute of Chicago.

The 2013 Lincoln Center American Songbook series has just been announced via the New York Times.

One of Motown's prized musical instruments, a nine-foot 1877 Steinway grand piano, made its debut at a charitable event to benefit Motown Museum at Steinway Hall in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, where Motown founder Berry Gordy and Paul McCartney played it for the first time following its extensive restoration.

It may be the final week of Lincoln Center Out of Doors, but the festival isn't winding down when it comes to exciting performances. This week, Lincoln Center celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the landmark Soul at the Center, highlighted by Valerie Simpson's first tribute to her late partner, Nick Ashford, since his passing. The pair that wrote such Motown hits as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)," and "I'm Every Woman," made their performing debut as a duo at Lincoln Center 40 years ago. The Tribute takes place on Friday, August 10 at Damrosch Park.