James Simpson

            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)  
2008 Barry White Tribute Tour feat. Eric Conley