“...you’ll see a lovely, confident, determined young woman who possesses great vision as well as great gifts. How refreshing to meet someone who seems so well prepared for her close-up.” -Maria Corley, Broad Street Review
“Jade has exactly the kind of creative energy that the classical music world needs.” -Jon Kimura Parker, pianist
“For a few intense moments during a recent performance and lecture on campus, classical pianist Jade Simmons literally moved her audience to tears... She brings a formidable mix of spirit and technical mastery...” -Lou Carolozo, Univ of Chicago Online
“It’s got to be hard to find someone who sparkles in front of the camera and knows classical music backward and forward, but the Cliburn found exactly what its webcast needed.”
-Alyson Ward, Ft. Worth Star Telegram
“…Simmons topped off her feats in the orchestral work with an impossibly exciting encore…” -Chicago Sun-Times
"She makes a brilliant impression, has a presence which fills the room, and plays with authority and dedication...Additionally, her outreach to young people in the name of classical music is vital." - James Steeber, Yamaha
“In Jade one could not ask for more, a performer who takes the written score to heart and makes it her own.” -Tania León, composer
“Her runs at the keyboard rang in the club with the clarity of a diamond in a coal mine.” -Tara Dooley, Houston Chronicle
“Among the new generation of classical music artists,
few are making the huge impact and receiving the kind
of acclaim that pianist Jade Simmons has been of late.”
-Sergio Mims, Ebony/Jet Magazine
“…a very engaging musical personality and a well developed musical taste.” -Philippe Entremont, pianist/conductor
“Listeners are likely to agree she’s hot stuff.” -Katherine Millett, Chicago Magazine
“Simmons dazzled both the kids in the schools and the
adults in her master class with her enthusiasm,
proficiency, moxie and musicianship.”
-Islands’ Sounder, Orcas Island
“She is an utterly beguiling stage presence, moving from stupendous keyboard virtuosity to personable program commentary in one agile step.” -Sumi Hahn, Seattle Times
“Think classical musicians are stuffy? Not if you attended the Jade Simmons piano concert... Lovely, charming, humorous — oh, and add talented and skilled at her art — Simmons presented a program of Russian piano pieces that wowed the audience.” -Peggy Kehoe, Polk County Democrat
“Fresh sound filled the hall, this music is exciting!” -Stacey Holzer, VisualSeen Magazine
“Unusual and exciting talent, she communicates extraordinarily well…” -Ursula Oppens, piano
“Simmons has an uncanny ability to connect classical music with the sounds of today.” -Sumi Hahn, Seattle Times
“Simmons’s technical skill and interpretive abilities shine throughout this album, making Revolutionary Rhythm not only a cohesive and interesting group of contemporary pieces, but a promising first step for an artist with a vision of where she wants to go.” -Archives of African-American Music and Culture
Jade and her Electrician, Roburt Reynolds, embark on a jet-setting US and European tour featuring the music of #PaganiniProject. The tour kicks off with CD release parties in Houston,TX and NYC followed by stops to major US East coast cities and then a jaunt to Europe. Dates and venues TBA.
SEA is pleased to announce Jade Simmons as the opening keynote speaker for the 12th Annual Self-Employment in the Arts (SEA) Conference. Her keynote presentation, “Be the Boss of Your Own Art: The Evolution of the Arts Entrepreneur” will kick off the annual conference at 1 PM on Friday, February 24th, 2012. In addition to delivering the opening keynote presentation, Jade will participate in panel discussions, round table discussions, and one-on-one mentoring sessions.
