Valerie Simpson is half of the songwriting-performing-producing entity known as Ashford and Simpson. Their award-winning collaborations began in the late 60’s and she along with her late husband Nick Ashford have penned classic hits such as, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” “Solid,” “Your Precious Love,” “The Boss, “It’s My House,” “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” and many others.
She serves on the board of the ASCAP Foundation where a monetary award has been established to aid struggling songwriters called the REACH OUT AND TOUCH Award which honors Nick Ashford. Valerie 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. In recent years, Valerie 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, which is touring the country. “I’M EVERY WOMAN” is featured in THE BODYGUARD the play which is currently on tour. In 2018 Valerie, as performer, was also featured in New York’s CHICAGO, The Musical on Broadway for a limited engagement in the role of Mama Morton–. The songs of Ashford and Simpson are in constant play thru Commercials, Documentaries (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston) and feature Films and TV shows. They have rightfully earned their place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, in to, which they were inducted in the year 2002. In 2019, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences–The Grammy’s, presented the Trustees Award to Ashford & Simpson in a televised Program adding yet a new exciting dimension to a diversified career. Valerie Simpson recently toured with Damien Sneed as a Special Guest in “A Tribute to Aretha Franklin” for 18 dates. She was also Special Guest for Paul Shaffer for 5 Symphony dates Featuring her music.
