Nick Ashford News

MUSE/IQUE, known for its counter-conventional performances that feel more like parties than formal concerts, wraps 'Summer of Sound' 2013 with 'Lose Your Senses with Ellis Hall' featuring Hall, Tower of Power's lead singer and keyboardist who electrifies with his five octave range and tears it up with the Selah Gospel Choir to unchain the soul sounds of great musicians like Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and even Bach, Beethoven and Vivaldi tonight, August 17, 2013.

MUSE/IQUE, known for its counter-conventional performances that feel more like parties than formal concerts, wraps 'Summer of Sound' 2013 with 'Lose Your Senses with Ellis Hall' featuring Hall, Tower of Power's lead singer and keyboardist who electrifies with his five octave range and tears it up with the Selah Gospel Choir to unchain the soul sounds of great musicians like Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and even Bach, Beethoven and Vivaldi on Saturday, August 17, 2013, 7:30 pm, outdoors at Caltech's Beckman Mall in Pasadena. They join Caltech physicist Sean Carroll and MUSE/IQUE Artistic Director Rachael Worby, who conducts the MUSE/IQUE Orchestra for a pure out-of the-box adventure that also celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Maurice Sendak's 'Where the Wild Things Are' with a world premiere of a dance set to the score of Spike Jonze' critically acclaimed film adaptation of the beloved children's book. Gates open at 5:30 pm for dinner (ordered in advance) or bring-your-own picnics, with table seating and plentiful free parking.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Dogfight) and Amelia Ryan in Where She Is Now: Dawn Cantwell and Friends beginning July 21 at The Studio at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

Songwriters/performing artists Ashford & Simpson, GRAMMY-winning violinist Joshua Bell, GRAMMY-winning artist Melissa Etheridge, GRAMMY-winning creators of 'LES MISERABLES' - Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer and Claude-Michel Schonberg - and R&B singer/songwriter Trey Songz are recipients of the New York Chapter Recording Academy Honors 2013. The event, which will attract recording artists, key entertainment executives and community leaders, will be hosted tonight, June 25, 2013, at 6 p.m. at 583 Park Avenue. This gala will support the Chapter's ongoing advocacy, education and professional development programs.

This gala will support the Chapter's ongoing advocacy, education and professional development programs.

The Recording Academy Honors 2013 will feature GRAMMY-winners Michael Bolton, Kristian Bush and David Caddick, GRAMMY-nominee Joan Osborne, stage and screen stars Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks and Stephanie J. Block, American Idol Music Director Ray Chew, singer-songwriters Peter Cincotti and Frankie Moreno, Island Def Jam Music Group President Steve Bartels, IMG Founder Charles Hamlen, and entertainment and media entrepreneur Kevin Liles. The star studded gala will celebrate honorees Ashford & Simpson, GRAMMY-winning violinist Joshua Bell, GRAMMY-winning artist Melissa Etheridge, GRAMMY-winning creators of 'Les Miserables' - Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer and Claude-Michel Schonberg - and R&B singer/songwriter Trey Songz. The Recording Academy Honors was established to celebrate outstanding individuals whose work embodies excellence and integrity and who have improved the environment for the creative community. The event, which will attract recording artists, key entertainment executives and community leaders, will be hosted Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at 6 p.m. at 583 Park Avenue. This gala will support the Chapter's ongoing advocacy, education and professional development programs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just yesterday BroadwayWorld reported that Broadway star and Academy Award winner Celeste Holm has died. She was 95. We pay tribute to Holm with photos from her career below.

In honor of the untimely passing of music icon Whitney Houston, the 2012 BET AWARDS pulled together an unprecedented pairing of today's divas, family members, friends, and cast mates for an emotional tribute that even brought BET AWARDS 12 double-winner Beyonce to tears. View the moving tribute to Whitney Houston below!

Live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 1st, BET AWARDS 12 kicked off with a bang when G.O.O.D. Music artists Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Pusha T exploded onto the stage for a medley of their hits 'Mercy' and 'Cold'

THE RRAZZ ROOM, San Francisco's premiere nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson running now through May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote some of the greatest love songs of a generation with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing." But when he died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70, Simpson was cast adrift. After spending more than four decades together, she didn't know if she would ever get back on stage. Valerie performs all their greatest hits in this moving concert experience. See below for photos of Valerie's opening night performance!

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from tonight, May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, will present the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

The RRazz Room offers Classic Soul, R&B, Traditional Pop, Jazz, Comedy, Revue and Cabaret entertainment.

The RRazz Room has announced upcoming performances for April-December 2012 which include Elaine Stritch, Ben Vereen, Ann Callaway, and more.