Valerie Simpson News

Cleveland Play House (CPH) is proud to bring George Brant's Marie and Rosetta to the Allen Theatre stage. Marie and Rosetta chronicles the story of 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Early Influence Inductee Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her counterpart Marie Knight as they changed the landscape of modern music. Miche Braden will make her return to Cleveland Play House as Sister Rosetta Tharpe alongside CPH newcomer Chaz Hodges as Marie Knight. Directed by Neil Pepe, Marie and Rosetta runs January 20 through February 11, 2018 in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square.

In collaboration with the Recording Academy, GREAT PERFORMANCES presents GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends 2017, the second annual all-star concert offering a primetime spotlight for the Academy's 2017 Special Merit Awards recipients.

One of the most acclaimed and innovative of all contemporary vocal groups, The Manhattan Transfer as first lauded for its pop success in the 1970s and 1980s, including chart-topping hits like 'Boy from New York City' and 'Operator.'

In collaboration with the Recording Academy, GREAT PERFORMANCES presents GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends 2017, the second annual all-star concert offering a primetime spotlight for the Academy's 2017 Special Merit Awards recipients.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater has announced its nightly performances running June 28 - July 9, 2017. Scroll down for details!

Paul Shaffer and Jon Batiste blended together their sounds and bands at their shared home of the Ed Sullivan Theater, performing 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' with help from the legendary Valerie Simpson.

The sixth annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 4-12) is packed with performances by today's most listened-to luminaries on the jazz scene.

The R&B calendar heats up at Joe's Pub! Highlights include Labelle founding member Sarah Dash on May 12; the soulfully-voiced and hard-rocking singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Celisse Henderson on May 31; Australian singer Cloves (Kaity Dunstan) on June 1; the Peterson Brothers, a modern blend of blues rock from 20-year-old Glenn and 17-year-old Alex Peterson, on June 2; a fundraiser for The Restorative Center with Stephanie McKay on June 15; soul powerhouse gina Breedlove on June 20; Alfa Anderson's album release party for her solo debut, From My Heart, on July 7; and, the relentlessly energetic JJ Thames & The Violet ReVOLT on August 8.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ella & Dizzy: The Centennial Celebration! Celebrate the 100th birthdays of Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie with an exclusive lineup of acclaimed jazz artists:  Gregory Porter, Lizz Wright, Regina Carter, Valerie Simpson, Randy Brecker and Sean Jones, all backed by the Christian McBride Big Band.

Shaffer is best known for the 30 plus years he spent as David Letterman's musical director and bandleader, but on Saturday, May 6th at 8 p.m. this world renowned musician takes center stage at The Ridgefield Playhouse!

The fourth season of the award-winning music series, AMERICAN SONGBOOK AT NJPAC, hosted for the first time by multi-platinum-selling entertainer Michael Feinstein, will make its New York Metro-area premiere on Sunday, April 9th on at 12:30 p.m. THIRTEEN

Public television's critically acclaimed concert series, FRONT AND CENTER, has debut a new episode featuring three-time Grammy Award winning guitarist Steve Vai. The intimate performance was filmed at New York's Iridium — the smallest venue Vai has played in years. He was voted 10th “Greatest Guitarist” by Guitar World magazine in 2015.

On Saturday, April 1, Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Webby award-winning and nominated songwriter ('September', the Friends theme song), artist, performer, co-author of Broadway's award-winning The Color Purple, 'the most interesting woman you've never heard of' (The Washington Post), and native Detroiter Allee Willis will host The Detroit Party honoring Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit's 25th Anniversary at Willis Wonderland, her historic Los Angeles home, the original MGM Party House.

The Ridgefield Playhouse and Pepsi Rock Series Powered by xfinity are going to rock your world with musical legend Paul Shaffer and the Most Dangerous Band on Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m.  Paul Shaffer may be best known as David Letterman's musical director and sidekick for the past 33 years, but his illustrious career goes far beyond the Ed Sullivan Theater.  Paul began his career working with Stephen Schwartz in 1972 as musical director for the Toronto production of "Godspell." From there he went on to spend 5 years with the original cast of "SaturdayNight Live" where he was the band leader and performer - most notably for his parody of Don Kirschner.  Shaffer occasionally teamed up with the "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players" off the show as well, including work on Gilda Radner's highly successful Broadway show and as the musical director for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd whenever they recorded or performed as The Blues Brothers. In 1984, Shaffer played keyboards for The Honeydrippers, a group formed in 1981 by former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, and performed on the hit single "Sea of Love" which reached #1. 

With unprecedented access, filmmakers Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack trace Dr. Angelou's incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life through never-before-seen footage, rare archival photographs and videos and her own words.

In advance of Valentine's Day, tonight's new episode of American Songbook at NJPAC Hosted By Michael Feinstein is a special Salute to Love Songs. The episode debuts tonight at 8pm on NJTV.

???????Don't miss tonight's American Songbook at NJPAC Hosted by Michael Feinstein at 8pm on NJTV!

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, recently announced the fourth season of the award-winning music series, American Songbook at NJPAC, hosted for the first time by multi-platinum-selling entertainer Michael Feinstein, premieres tonight, January 25th, on NJTV (check local listings). The six-part series, now entitled American Songbook at NJPAC Hosted by Michael Feinstein, will also air on THIRTEEN and WLIW21 in the spring. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the performers onstage!

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, announced the fourth season of the award-winning music series, American Songbook at NJPAC, hosted for the first time by multi-platinum-selling entertainer Michael Feinstein, will premiere on Wednesday, January 25th on NJTV (check local listings). The six-part series, now entitled American Songbook at NJPAC Hosted by Michael Feinstein, will also air on THIRTEEN and WLIW21 in the spring. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the performers onstage!

With unprecedented access, filmmakers Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack trace Dr. Angelou's incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life through never-before-seen footage, rare archival photographs and videos and her own words.