Clayton Bryant

Valerie Simpson is back at SOPAC! Valerie Simpson is one half of the iconic song-writing duo Ashford & Simpson. She and her late husband Nick Ashford spent their lives together writing chart-topping anthems for Motown and beyond. The duo penned timeless hits such as, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” and “I’m Every Woman” for Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and others before embarking on a performing career of their own. In 2018, Simpson performed as Mama Morton in a limited engagement in Chicago, The Musical on Broadway. The songs of Ashford and Simpson are in constant play through commercials, documentaries, feature films and TV shows. In 2002, they rightfully earned their place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2019, The Grammy’s presented the Trustees Award to Ashford & Simpson in a televised program adding yet a new exciting dimension to a diversified career. Simpson recently toured with Damien Sneed as a special guest in “A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.” She was also a special guest for Paul Shaffer for five symphony dates featuring her music. In recent years, she has toured with Dave Koz as a special guest and also with Paul Shaffer & the Worlds Most Dangerous Band. Her music is in constant demand and four Ashford & Simpson songs are featured in the Broadway hit Motown: The Musical and “I’m Every Woman” is featured in the musical The Bodyguard. When she is not performing, Simpson serves on the board of the ASCAP Foundation, which established the Reach Out And Touch Award in honor of Nick Ashford to aid struggling songwriters called the Reach Out And Touch Award. Simpson owns and runs a popular New York Westside Music Club and Restaurant called The Sugar Bar where young writers-singers-musicians have a platform to perform.