Valerie Simpson To Perform With Terri Lyne Carrington At Cambridge Festival

One half of the one of the most revered and talented musical couples in recording history, songwriter, singer and producer Valerie Simpson and her partner and husband, the late Nickolas Ashford, created an unprecedented catalog of chart-topping singles and album, garnering 22 gold and platinum records and more than 50 ASCAP Awards. Her co-writing credits include “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Your Precious Love,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.”

In 1973, Ashford & Simpson signed with Warner Brothers as recording artists and recorded eight albums, four of which went gold. Their hit singles include “Send It,” “Found A Cure,” “Don’t Cost You Nothing,” “It Seems To Hang On,” and “Love Don’t Make It Right.” Ashford & Simpson also wrote and produced for Ben E. King, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Quincy Jones and they rewrote a version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” for Diana Ross that became a #1 record.

In 1978, Ashford & Simpson wrote the song “I’m Every Woman” for Chaka Khan, which was later recorded by Whitney Houston. Their biggest hit as recording artists came in 1984 with the single “Solid (as a Rock).” In 2002, they were inducted in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

Ashford & Simpson’s music has been used as themes for international events, such as the opening of the Olympic Ceremonies, and the Hands Across America theme “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand.”

After Ashford’s death from throat cancer in 2011, Simpson established the Reach Out and Touch Award which honors her late husband and helps advance the careers of promising young songwriters. She released her first solo album in 2012 called “Dinosaurs Are Coming Back Again,” and in 2013, Simpson visited Berklee to perform in “Trouble Man,” a musical about the life of Marvin Gaye scripted by Berklee students.

“We are just thrilled to have Valerie with us at the Cambridge Jazz Festival performing with Terri Lyne Carrington,” said Larry Ward, the Festival’s executive director. “We all know the power and energy of her music—her songs are part of who we all are.”

“What a great combination this is going to be! Valerie is true legend who has had enormous influence on American music as a singer, a songwriter and as a producer. I think you can expect something special to happen when her voice and Terri Lyne’s amazing groove combine! It’s a genuine privilege to them perform together for our community.”