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The legendary singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson kicks off Black Music Month with a live recording of Revelation & Jubilation: A Symphony of Spirit, led by acclaimed conductor, composer, pianist and visionary artist Damien Sneed and the Orchestra of Tomorrow at the historic Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street, New York). Following the enthusiastic response to the work’s February world premiere at Carnegie Hall as part of United in Sound America at 250, Simpson — recently named to The New York Times’ 30 Greatest Living Songwriters list — brings “Revelation & Jubilation” to Town Hall for a special live recording.
As creator, music director, and principal performing artist, Sneed, who has found a New York home in Town Hall over the years, stands at the center of this monumental work — guiding every musical and dramatic element with precision, depth and spiritual intention. At the heart of the evening is his groundbreaking ensemble, the Orchestra of Tomorrow, whose dynamic artistry and genre-defying versatility serve as the sonic foundation for the entire recording. Together, they bring to life a richly layered program built around Sneed’s original compositions and masterful arrangements. Each element is thoughtfully curated and seamlessly connected through Sneed’s singular artistic vision, reflecting both the legacy and the evolving future of Black musical expression.
“I keep my eye and ear open to new songs and messages that uplift me. Damien Sneed impressed me recently with that newness I needed, and what we all need in this climate of dark times and uncertainty. His songs shouted out hope and inspiration! He had me on my feet and I just want to share that good feeling with you,” said Simpson.
Revelation & Jubilation unfolds as a sweeping and immersive journey — interweaving African drumming, spoken word, the spiritual, art songs and deeply expressive ballads with exhilarating rhythmic textures and soaring symphonic moments.
The evening will also include an extraordinary roster of guests — Kim Burrell, Twinkie Clark, Jacqueline Echols-McCarley, Wynell Freeman, Gary McClellan, Phylicia Rashad, Juandolyn Stokes and Matthew Whitaker — each lending their distinctive voice to a unified and powerful artistic vision.
“Revelation and Jubilation: A Symphony of Spirit was conceived as more than a concert. It is a meditation on America at 250 — a nation still becoming — and an offering of sound, memory and meaning that asks us to listen deeply to who we have been, who we are and who we are called to be,” said Sneed. This live recording at Town Hall extends the reach of the work beyond the walls of this hall and into the broader cultural archive, becoming a document, a testimony and a resource for future generations.”
This is more than a concert— it is the full realization of Damien Sneed’s artistic voice: expansive, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in Black music. Join us for a historic live recording — an unforgettable symphony of Spirit.
“In substance, artistry and execution, Damien Sneed’s work has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to the highest levels of excellence in the legacy of African-American arts and culture,” said Wynton Marsalis, a Grammy Award winner and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
“Damien Sneed is an internationally recognized virtuoso who connects with audiences of all ages, across race and religion, and is highly respected throughout the music industry,” said Clark, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter.
The Orchestra of Tomorrow includes Ronald “CJ” Alexander, Sidney Antoine, Chenee Campbell, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Jammal Graham, Anthony Hervey, Markita Knight, Amadou Kouyate, Stephanie Matthews, Joseph Miller, Anitra McKinney, Jeffery Miller, Alicia Peters-Jordan, Daniel “Flash” Revell, Linny Smith and Matia Washington.
Tickets, which start at $35, can be purchased at www.thetownhall.org/events. Limited VIP tickets, which include a signed poster, are also available.
English (US) ·