[Revolutionary Rhythm; Jade Simmons, Piano; Russell Pinkston, Samuel Barber, John Corigliano, & Daniel Bernard Roumain, Composers; E1 Entertainment KIC CD 7760 (2009)]
Sherry Lucas
April 4, 2010
“Concert pianist Jade Simmons' residency in Jackson next week takes her all over the city as well as all over the keyboard. Events bounce from the University Club to Tougaloo College with the Mississippi Museum of Art and a pair of public elementary schools in-between. Simmons wishes all her appearances were so jam-packed, making the best use of her time and her passions - youth, art and fashion as well as music. 'It's definitely a fun engagement for me,' she said by phone from Houston, Texas.
“Appearances are normally more tame - a word that doesn't quite fit the trajectory of this rising young star and entrepreneur. She was named one of Ebony Magazine's 'Young Leaders Under 30' in 2007 and was the Web-host for the 2009 Van Cliburn Piano Competition through the event's 17 days. As the online face for the competition, Simmons impressed anew Jackson mezzo soprano Lester Senter Wilson, a Mississippi Symphony Orchestra board member. Wilson first encountered Simmons years before at her own Wideman Piano Competition. Struck by Simmons' stylish presence, savvy skills, music knowledge and interest in kids - 'I thought, this is what we need in Jackson,' said Wilson, a co-producer with Tim Coker of the artist's residency, which is sponsored by Isaac Byrd. 'It's a remarkable opportunity for Jackson and specifically for students,' Byrd said.
“A former Miss Illinois, Simmons was first runner-up at the 2000 Miss America Pageant. Her platform of youth suicide prevention became a hot-button issue with the Columbine massacre. At 22, she traveled the nation speaking on that platform and today at 32, serves on the boards of organizations that deal with the issue. Working on behalf of youth remains a key part of her life.”
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