New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Today, GRAMMY-nominated musician
Carlos Simon releases a re-imagination of John Newton's 250-year-old "Amazing Grace," the third single from his upcoming album 'Together'. Simon's instrumental arrangement features acclaimed violinist Randall Goosby performing the song's timeless vocal on violin, while
Simon lays down rich piano chords. One of the most recognizable hymns of the church, "Amazing Grace" brings comfort and reverence to those who hear it, and Simon's version offers a fresh perspective and a new level of emotional depth.
Arriving
September 8, globally, via Decca Classics, 'Together' is the follow-up to Simon's critically acclaimed GRAMMY-nominated debut 'Requiem for the Enslaved'. This new project was created in the wake of the pandemic as an opportunity for
Simon to collaborate with friends and musicians and make music with a message. From the hymns that he grew up singing, playing, and hearing like "Amazing Grace" and "Angels In Heaven" which speak of transformation, to "Traveling Song" and "Between Worlds" which speak of traveling between two different locations (geographically, socially, and spiritually), the many threads that make up the fabric of Simon's multifaceted life are woven into this new body of work. In addition to performing on several tracks,
Simon has enlisted violinist and fellow Decca recording artist Randall Goosby, 2 x GRAMMY Award-winning mezzo J'Nai Bridges ("the 'Beyoncé of opera" - BET), acclaimed GRAMMY Award-winning baritone Will Liverman and GRAMMY-nominated rising star cellist Seth Parker Woods. The album also features contributions from the
Carlos Simon Collective, a group that
Simon founded and conducted. Made up of Chicago's best freelance artists, the collective is headed up by fellow GRAMMY-nominated, acclaimed composer, violinist, educator, and friend
Jessie Montgomery.
New York City area fans can join
Simon in celebrating 'Together' on Friday,
September 8 at a WQXR LIVE event. Hosted by Terrance McKnight,
Simon will perform tracks off the new album alongside special guests, mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges and cellist Seth Parker-Woods at The Greene Space. For more information visit: https://thegreenespace.org/event/wqxr-live-carlos-simon/
'Together' Tracklist:
Prayer "Gather Up" with J'Nai Bridges
Love Is Stronger Than Pride
Amazing
Grace with Randall Goosby
Near the Cross with J'Nai Bridges
Loop
Memory of Summer
Settle (part III from Warmth from Other Suns)
Angels in
Heaven with Will Liverman
Traveling Song
Between Worlds with Seth Parker Woods
GRAMMY-nominated
Carlos Simon is a multi-genre composer and performer who is a passionate advocate for diversity in music. Carlos, whose father wanted him to be a minister, describes music making as a pulpit where he can deliver messages and minister to those listening. As winner of the Sphinx Medal of
Excellence 2021 and Composer-in-Residence at the Kennedy Center, he sees himself as a conduit, a vessel used by God to deliver music to the people. Listed in the Kennedy Center's Next 50', his recent commissions have been granted by the New York Philharmonic,
Boston Symphony, Kennedy Center, Minnesota Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, PBS and the Washington
National Opera as well as his work being set to ballets by Washington
National Ballet and American Ballet Theater.
Signed exclusively to Decca Classics in 2020 at the age of 24, American violinist Randall Goosby is acclaimed for the sensitivity and intensity of his musicianship alongside his determination to make music more inclusive and accessible, as well as bringing the music of under-represented composers to light. Highlights of Randall Goosby's 2023/24 season include debut performances with the
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Andris Nelsons,
National Symphony/Thomas Wilkins, Pittsburgh Symphony/Manfred Honeck, Seattle Symphony and St Louis Symphony both under Christian Reif, with European debuts including a European tour with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Danish
National Radio Symphony/Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Oslo Philharmonic/Ryan Bancroft and Lahti Symphony/Dalia Stasevska.
