Brian Simpson: Class act keeps delivering goods
Brian Simpson was born in Gurnee, Illinois. The inspired keyboardist, composer and producer sums his childhood up pretty well: “Our house was filled with music. My older brother and sister both played instruments, and my brother’s rock band rehearsed in our living room every weekend. I never really considered any other lifestyle.”
That lifestyle as a solo artist began in 2005 with the hit “It’s All Good,” reaching #1 on the Radio & Records Smooth Jazz Airplay chart and remaining in the Top 5 for four months. Follow-up singles and albums traded places between Top 15 and Top 10 positions for several years thereafter. Simpson found himself sharing stages and recording studios with everyone from saxophonists Everette Harp and Boney James to guitarist Norman Brown. In the early ‘90s, he delved into the pop touring lifestyle with such divas as Teena Marie, Sheena Easton and Janet Jackson, eventually co-writing the #1 Pop hit “The First Time” by Surface; conquering both the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts in 1991.
But Brian Simpson’s heart was rooted in jazz, and he has since toured with luminaries such as George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Larry Carlton, George Howard, Billy Cobham and Gerald Albright (one of the artists features at this year’s jazz fest, in fact). Brian has worked closely with Dave Koz as musical director for over 20 years, and for almost a decade he served as the musical director of the ambitious and highly popular Smooth Jazz Cruise, sailing once again in January 2017.
His eloquent approach to playing, and his sophisticated harmonics sense, bluesy overtones and R&B flavor have stood the test of time. Simpson’s singular approach to the music has made him the number one choice for many stars, including Janet Jackson, Teena Marie, George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Dave Koz. Simpson’s latest masterwork is the perfect blend of musical styles that he loves so much: jazz, R&B, funk and soul. 2015’s Out Of A Dream is his sixth album as a leader and touts an all-star cast that includes saxophonists Najee, Dave Koz and Grace Kelly; guitarists Marc Antoine and Norman Brown; singer Maysa and trumpeter Maurice Brown, among others.
Once again Brian Simpson will deliver the goods on October 14 along with Matt Marshak and Marcus Anderson. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach. And you don’t want to miss Brian once again as part of the All-Star Super Show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 15th with Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Steve Cole, Jeffrey Osborne and Kirk Whalum. That extravaganza will take place in Lewes at the Performing Arts Theater in Cape Henlopen High School.
