Nick Ashford

Valerie Simpson Plays Aretha's Greatest Hits at Poway Center
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 9, 2022

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.”

South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center to Host Musical Tribute to Aretha Franklin
by Marissa Tomeo - Jan 23, 2022

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.

The Majestic Honors The Queen Of Soul With A TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Jan 14, 2022

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.

A TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN Comes To The Van Wezel Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Jan 4, 2022

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.

Van Wezel Welcomes Valerie Simpson And Damien Sneed For A Tribute To Aretha Franklin: The Queen Of Soul
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 9, 2021

The Van Wezel has announced special guests for the upcoming performance A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul on Wednesday Feb. 9th at 8 p.m.

The Bessies Announce Honorees Of Lifetime Achievement and Service To The Field Of Dance Awards
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2021

Choreographer, director, and producer George Faison will receive the 2021 Bessie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance, and DanceAfrica, an annual celebration of African and African-American dance, music, and culture, will receive this year's award for Outstanding Service to the Field of Dance.

ASCAP Foundation Honors Goes Virtual
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Dec 8, 2020

With presentations from living rooms and home studios around the country, The ASCAP Foundation will virtually host The ASCAP Foundation Honors 2020 in recognition of this year’s remarkable young award winners.

Craft Recordings Set to Release 'The Gospel Truth: The Complete Singles Collection'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Sep 17, 2020

Craft Recordings announces the release of The Gospel Truth: The Complete Singles Collection, a brand new, comprehensive compilation that spotlights The Gospel Truth Records.

Ryan Shaw's 'Strong Men Can' Out Today
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Sep 17, 2020

The first single from Multi GRAMMY®-nominated vocal powerhouse Ryan Shaw’s forthcoming album IMAGINING MARVIN has its worldwide premiere today via Soul Tracks.

Broadway Pianist/Composer/Arranger Timothy Graphenreed Has Passed Away at Age 68
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 2, 2020

Broadway composer/lyricist/author/musical director/vocal arranger/dance arranger/orchestrator/accompanist, best known for composing The Tornado, and Emerald City Ballet in the Broadway hit 'The Wiz,' Timothy Graphenreed, passed away March 1, 2020, at Mt. Sinai at the age of 68.

Ryan Shaw's New Studio Album IMAGINING MARVIN Set for November Release
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 25, 2020

Multi GRAMMY®-nominated vocal powerhouse Ryan Shaw's new studio album IMAGINING MARVIN is set for a November 27th release via Shaw's own FORM (Fans Of Real Music) Records with distribution by Broadway Records. Inspired by one of Shaw's idols, Marvin Gaye, IMAGINING MARVIN is the powerful new project that originally premiered live in New York City.

Diana Ross' SUPERTONIC Digital Release Due On May ​​​​​​​29
by Kaitlin Milligan - Apr 17, 2020

Supertonic is a special kind of Diana Ross magic. Absolutely authentic, it's her voice, her electrifying sound.

NJPAC Presents Sugar Bar Comes To Newark Featuring Valerie Simpson And Special Guest Dave Koz
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2020

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Sugar Bar Comes to Newark featuring Valerie Simpson and Special Guest Dave Koz on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

BWW Review: VALERIE SIMPSON at HACPAC
by Lianna Albrizio - Oct 1, 2019

Valerie Simpson, who co-wrote hit songs for Whitney Houston and Ray Charles, performed a packed house with guitarist Felicia Collins at the Hackensack Performing Arts's PAC the House series on September 28.

HACPAC Announces PAC The House Series
by Julie Musbach - Sep 10, 2019

The Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) has announced the third annual PAC the House Series featuring concerts by popular artists including Valerie Simpson, Donnie McClurkin, Gregorio Uribe, James Maddock, and Bria Skonberg. Ticket prices range from $40.00 to $60.00 with special series pricing available.

ASCAP Foundation Honors Valerie Simpson and Melinda Wagner
by Kaitlin Milligan - Dec 14, 2018

The ASCAP Foundation honored R&B and pop icon Valerie Simpson with its George M. Cohan Friars Foundation Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Melinda Wagner with The ASCAP Foundation Masters Award at the 2018 ASCAP Foundation Honors tonight. The ceremony took place at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, in New York City. The ASCAP Foundation 2018 scholarship recipients were also recognized in an evening brimming with talent and inspiration.

ASCAP Foundation Honors Valerie Simpson And Melinda Wagner At Jazz At Lincoln Center Tonight
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 13, 2018

The ASCAP Foundation honored R&B and pop icon Valerie Simpson with its George M. Cohan Friars Foundation Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Melinda Wagner with The ASCAP Foundation Masters Award at the 2018 ASCAP Foundation Honors tonight. The ceremony took place at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, in New York City. The ASCAP Foundation 2018 scholarship recipients were also recognized in an evening brimming with talent and inspiration.

Valerie Simpson Added to Lineup of Women's Association Gala
by Julie Musbach - Aug 13, 2018

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

Photo Coverage: Legendary Singer-Songwriter Valerie Simpson Makes Broadway Debut In CHICAGO
by Jennifer Broski - Mar 13, 2018

The Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical Chicago, which recently celebrated its 21st anniversary, just welcomed legendary singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson making her Broadway debut in the role of 'Matron 'Mama' Morton' at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). Joining Ms. Simpson is Chaz Lamar Shepherd (original Broadway production of The Color Purple; Dreamgirls national tour) as 'Billy Flynn.'

Valerie Simpson & Chaz Lamar Shepherd to Join the Cast of CHICAGO
by Julie Musbach - Feb 26, 2018

The Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical Chicago, which recently celebrated its 21st anniversary, will welcome legendary singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson making her Broadway debut in the role of "Matron "Mama" Morton" starting Monday, March 12, 2018 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). Joining Ms. Simpson is Chaz Lamar Shepherd (original Broadway production of The Color Purple; Dreamgirls national tour) as "Billy Flynn."