The brilliant singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson on her life and the women who helped shape it. Learn more about events at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center at njpac.org
Valerie Simpson, of the songwriting, producing, and recording duo Ashford & Simpson, brought a string of timeless hits to the world, from “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” “I’m Every Woman,” and, of course, “Solid.” From the 1960s to the present day, Simpson has not only performed and recorded her own work but written songs for Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and many more. Valerie’s work has had an outsize influence on the world of music for decades.
But who influenced her? Join Valerie and NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber for an hour of words and music that focus on the iconic women who made Valerie the genre-defining artist she is, including Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, and Cicely Tyson. Valerie shares her memories of them, and of her decades in the business, including her time in Motown and her performing career with her husband and musical partner Nickolas Ashford.