James Simpson is his name and "groovin'" is his thing! He's one of the hardest working musicians in the music business. James has recorded and performed with a host of top-class musicians from all over the world. He also tours and records with his own groups. www.simpsonsound.com

Latest News

organist, keyboardist, drummer, vocalist
producer

$olid Rock Production$ - rec. company
Solid Rock Records - rec. studio

tours with the following groups:
James Simpson's Gospel Classics
James Simpson's Jazz Trio
James Simpson's Souly Ghost

Resume of Career Highlights

1972 born in Ft. Devins, Massachusetts and raised in Ceres, California

1976 12 years of private piano lessons (classical music)
1978 learns how to play the saxophone
1978 learns how to play the drums

1983 member of "National Guild of Piano Teachers" (USA)
1987 "Best Soloist Award“ for piano and saxophone (Los Angeles, CA)
1988 "Best Soloist Award“ for piano and saxophone (Los Angeles, CA)
1988 "Louis Armstrong Jazz Award“ (Ceres, CA)

1988 rejection of record deal offered by Profile Records
1998 foundation of "$olid Rock Production$“ in California

1990 US Army in Mannheim, Germany
1991 music productions out of barracks room

1992 move to Killeen, Texas
1992 until today: professional musician (live and studio), producer (see "Recordings" for complete list)
____ has shared the stage with Anita Baker, Natalie Cole just to name a few

1995 opening of "Solid Rock Records“ recording studio
1995 tours and records with Kyle Turner
1998 learns how to play the organ, inspired by the recording of John Ussery's album "Gettin' Lucky"

2001 move to Mannheim, Germany
____ international tours and studio productions in the genres Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Soul, Pop etc.

2002 music video w/ Stefan Raab feat. Shaggy on MTV
2003 European tour with The Temptations
2003 European tour with Roy Hargrove & RH Factor

2004 James Simpson's "Soul Revival" album released
2005 Blairman / Schönborn / Simpson's "Like Back in the Days" album released

2005 plays at German Gospel Awards
2005 European tour with Gwen McCrae

2006 European tour with Funk Masters Jab'o Starks and Clyde Stubblefield
2006 Featured Artist on the Doodlin' Lounge Radio Program
2006 plays at Edinburgh Jazz Festival
2006 joins Tribute To Barry White Orchestra
2006 James Simpson and Greg McKoy release "Never Alone" Gospel album
2006 European tour James Simpson's Gospel Classics

2007 voted "jazz organist of February 2007" by www.iajo.org (International Archives of Jazz Organ)

Recordings

1988 James Simpson «Living in Reality» R&B / Pop

1989 James Simpson «Beginning of a Dream» R&B / Hip Hop

1992 Mannheim Community Mass Choir «Live» Gospel

1994 Le Lee «The Lovely Lady Singer» R&B / Hip Hop

1995 Kyle Turner «Sincerely Yours» Jazz

1998 John Ussery «Gettin’ Lucky» Blues

1999 The Simms Foundation (w/ Hot Buttered Rhythm) Compilation

2000 Blackshear «Destiny» R&B

2001 Hot Buttered Rhythm «Blacksoundsploitation» Acid Jazz

2002 Stefan Raab feat. Shaggy «Gebt Das Hanf Frei» Hip Hop

2003 One Son «Poor Man’s Testimony» Hip Hop

2003 Jubilee Jumpers «Jump Session» Swing

2003 James Simpson «Soul Revival» Soul Jazz

2005 Blairman, Schönborn, Simpson «Like Back In The Days» Jazz

2005 Dwight Robson «Ain’t It Good To Know» Gospel

2005 Reencuentros «Indian’s Visions» World Music

2005 Toni Spearman «So Called Friends» Blues

2006 Karl Frierson «Soulprint» Soul / Pop

2006 James Simpson / Greg McKoy «Never Alone» Gospel

Video, TV

1994 Kyle Turner & Standing Room Only - Austin Music Network

1998 Hot Buttered Rhythm «Morning TV» - Toronto, Canada

1998 Hot Buttered Rhythm «Austin Music Awards»

1999 James Simpson Group - Austin Music Network

2001 James Simpson Group - Austin Music Network

2002 Stefan Raab feat. Shaggy «Gebt Das Hanf Frei!» - Music Video on MTV Europe, VIVA, Real TV

2003 James Simpson - Austin Music Network, Brannen Temple, Yogie & Ephraim Owens

2003 Roy Hargrove RH Factor, Leverkusen Jazz Days 2003 (WDR TV)

2004 James Simpson «From The Heart» - DVD, South By Southwest Film Festival

2005 German Gospel Awards 2005 - Bible TV - Berlin, Germany

2005 B&W Rhythm’n’Blues Festival - DVD

2006 Gwen McCrae & Soulpower Allstars - «Campus» on France 2

Performances with

Abdu Salim
Acoustic Alchemy
Albey Donely
Alex Bugnon
Allen Blairman
Anita Baker

Brannen Temple

Christian Eckert
Clyde Stubblefield

Dr. James Polk

Dany Martinez
David Benoit
David «Fat Head» Newman

Ebo Shakoor
Ephraim Owens
Eric Gable

Fingerprint

George McCrae
Gwen McCrae

Jason Wright & The Wright Thing
John “Jab’o” Starks
John Ussery
Juan «Chucho» Valdez

Karl Denson
Keith Anderson
Kerry Wilkins
Kim Waters
Kip Blackshire (New Power Generation)
Kirk Whalum
Kyle Turner

Larry Willis

Michael Ward
Mitch Watkins

Najee
Natalie Cole

Pam Williams
Pancho Sanchez
Paul Jackson, Jr.
Pax Wallace

Regina Carter
Reggie Washington
Roger Troutman
Ronnie Laws
Roy Hargrove

Shelly Carol
Shirley Murdock
SOS Band
Stefan Raab

The Temptations
Thomas Hughes
Toni Spearman
Trevor Richards

Vanda Guzman

Waymon Tisdale
Wesley G.
Willie Jones, III

Zapp

Intro

James Simpson is his name and "groovin'" is his thing! He's one of the hardest working musicians in the music business. James has recorded and performed with a host of world class musicians from all over the world. He also tours and records with his own groups. www.simpsonsound.com

Message

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to record and share the stage with some of the best and most innovative musicians in the history of recorded music, worldwide. Some legends and some local heroes. All of them are my heroes. I've learned so much from each and every one of them. I'd like to thank them all for allowing me the chance to be a part of history. As a kid, I was happy when I could afford a used Ramsey Lewis, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder or Jimmy Smith record or reel to reel from "Salty's Record Attic" back in Modesto, California. I never dreamed that one day I'd be on stage with or getting lessons with anyone of them. The recordings were lessons themself. Being on the gig or getting personal lessons just about "blew my mind". Thank you all so much.

In the past eight years I've been more active as a producer, drummer and organist. I'm often asked if I perfer playing drums or organ and visa versa. My answer to anyone concerned is both. Drums and organ are deep in my roots. From the church to the chittlin' circut you'll find both. My love for both instruments are equal. To me, playing an instrument is about communicating through expression on your instrument. It's not about how many notes one can play at 400 bpm or how one can slide an odd meter rhythm into a simple tune or lightening fast fill in one bar. It's about groovin'. As the great Dr. James Polk would say, "Whatever you do, DO NOT FORSAKE THE GROOVE."

I try to play and create music that feels good to me and the listener. That's jazz, soul, funk, rock or whatever. On both instruments, I'm able to express any emotion that I desire. From love to hate or joy to pain. If there is a spiritual or physical emotion involved, I'm able to express it on either instrument.

I hope that you enjoy your visit to my website. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone. Thanks again.

James Allen Simpson, Jr.

James Simpson's Jazz Trio

Soul Jazz is actually a mixture between Jazz and Soul, and it is not so much a genre of music but a feeling. The quality lies in the catchy harmonies and melodies as well as in the groove. It can be easy listening in the style of Ramsey Lewis all the way to blues-boppin' in the style of Jimmy Smith or Jimmy McGriff. A musical background that invites you to relax, lounge and just feel at ease.

Soul Jazz is for people with style and those who are not foreign to enjoying life. This music WILL make you move.

James Simpson is an international artist from Ceres, California and based in Mannheim, Germany. Although his talents are versatile, he is known as a soul jazz organist, keyboardist and drummer on a worldwide scale. James was raised in the Afro-American Baptist church on Gospel music, but also on his father’s diverse music collection.

This group can be booked as a trio or in a larger formation.

James Simpson's Souly Ghost

The name says it all: authentic African-American Soul that you can feel inside, straight from the heart and soul of our musicians. The prime age of Soul was in the 60s and 70s, and Souly Ghost invites you to take a journey back in time and review this age under the musical leadership of James Simpson.

Characterized by the American Civil Rights Movement, this musical genre was created to motivate change and liberalisation. All of the band‘s members are deeply rooted within the genre and can literally take you „back to the roots“ when music was still made without the help of synthesizers. They are not only paying tribute to James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, but also to Sam Cook, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Sly & The Family Stone and many others. They are interpreting Motown Classics as well as forgotten hits that need to be revived.
James Simpson is a versatile artist who has made a name for himself as a Soul Jazz organist, keyboardist and drummer on an international scale. He lives in Mannheim, Germany and plays the drums in this formation.

The group has been touring Germany since 2005.

James Simpson's Gospel Classics

This classic gospel group under the musical leadership of James Simpson (www.simpsonsound.com) is deeply rooted in the African-American church. The gospel has been put into the cradle of all seven members; they play at least one instrument and sing, so that a diverse program is guaranteed. Two of the singers leave their Texan congregation every year to go on this European mission. They would like to sing for the Lord and bring Christ a little closer to the people. They sing about temptations they have to face and the obstacles they have overcome. The simple personal expressions of faith in song and the spirited performance will leave you with an impression of how our American sisters and brothers are able to express their faith.

Gospel Classics invite us on a journey through the history of gospel with traditional and contemporary, known and unknown pieces. The songs are delivered with glowing enthusiasm, powerful voices and spiritual inspiration, which will be conveyed to the audience. They are addressed to God and deliver the good news. Performed are hymns and spirituals – in solos, duets or a cappella, but also harmonious choir singing of one or several voices with background music.

In their very own arrangements, the members realize their ideas on the interpretation of traditional songs, giving them their own musical handwriting. Improvisation and creativity is what distinguishes this group in particular. The musical services of African-Americans convey hope and joy in a mixture of sung prayers, praises and even small sermons. Hardly anyone can better transmit the joy about the good news straight from the heart and soul than our authentic gospel group.

The ensemble’s program gets across everything that makes gospel so unique: feeling, faith and pure joy of life. An immediate gospel experience. As gospel music is known to be celebrated in the community, there are many songs inviting you to sing along. “We are putting our entire soul into the music”, say the musicians. You are welcome to convince yourself at a concert where you will certainly feel the spark, sing along, clap your hands and dance.

Let us inspire you!

James Simpson was raised in the American Baptist church. His grandfather was a reverend in the congregation where his entire family was and still is very active musically. Today, James is not only a singer but also plays the Hammond organ, keyboard and drums. In other formations, he also plays jazz, soul and blues – all musical genres which are rooted in gospel.

Albums

This Artist has 2 Albums
Clean Clean

Clean Clean

Artist Name
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