Ashford and Simpson to perform at Long Island University

Ashford and Simpson husband wife duo are set to perform at the Long Island University Campus. This is going to be a big day for the university and for their fans. They have their fans in any corner of the nation.
I don’t remember any other couple reaching to such height together in music industry. They are a successful husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists.

Ashford & Simpson met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1964. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Josie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson.

Their own performing career was launched in 1973 with Keep It Comin' on Motown and Gimme Something Real on Warner Bros.

Their first success came in 1977 with the gold-selling Send It, which contained the Top Ten R&B hit "Don't Cost You Nothing."

Is It Still Good to Ya, a second gold album, contained the number two R&B hit "It Seems to Hang On" in 1978. Stay Free, their third straight gold album, contained "Found a Cure," another R&B smash that also made the Top 40 on the pop chart.

A Musical Affair, in 1980, featured the hit "Love Don't Make It Right," but was not as successful as previous efforts.

Meanwhile award-winning songwriters and performers Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson will bring their signature sound to the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at Long Island Universitys Brooklyn Campus on Friday, October 30.

The concert event, An Evening of Song with Ashford & Simpson, will raise funds for the Kumble Theater, a state-of-the-art, 320-seat venue that nurtures the creative work of students and other emerging artists and provides the community with free or low-cost access to world-class performances.

Mr. Ashford and Ms. Simpson, who first became acquainted with the Brooklyn Campus through University trustee Steven J. Kumble, the Theater’s benefactor and namesake, received honorary degrees at its commencement ceremony in May 2009. Impressed with the University’s mission of access and excellence, and the Campus’ contributions to downtown Brooklyn’s vibrant artistic community, the duo decided to donate their time and talents to support the Kumble Theater.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Ashford and Ms. Simpson back to the Brooklyn Campus. Their legendary success as performers, songwriters and producers is an inspiration to our students in the arts,” declared Gale Stevens Haynes, provost of the Brooklyn Campus.

Mr. Ashford and Ms. Simpson are among the most respected and prolific couples in contemporary music. They are perhaps best known for their #1 hit Solid, but they also have produced many Gold records and have penned hits for luminaries like Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross.

The Kumble Theater fosters the artistic exploration of both developing and established artists, and presents a wide array of cutting-edge and traditional programming. Recent offerings have ranged from performances by the Brooklyn Ballet, the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center and artists presented by 651 ARTS to theatrical productions such as Dreamgirls.

Concert tickets are available at two price levels, $1,000 and $350. Prior to the concert, ticketholders at the $1,000 level will enjoy cocktails in the Louise B’69 and Leonard Riggio Cyber Caf’; a visit to the Mighty Wurlitzer (the original 1928 organ from the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, which is now the Campus’ Schwartz Athletic Center); and dinner in Luntey Commons, the former lobby of the Brooklyn Paramount. Immediately following the performance, there will be a dessert reception in the Humanities Gallery during which all concertgoers will have the opportunity to meet the artists. For more information, please call the Office of Special Events at 516-299-3298.