STEEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2014 FULL

Some of Simpson’s accolades include “Honorable Mention” for the 2017 American Prize in Orchestral Composition for his piece On the Road Suite. Pittsburgh City Pages reviewed the album saying that the musical settings 'reveal a rich harmonic sense that recalls Gil Evans’ adventurous work.' In 2016 he released his first commercial album called Something In Between: The Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective. Then later that year, Simpson conducted his own orchestral composition Journey Into Wissameking with the Janaček Philharmonic, in Ostrava, CZ as a part of the festival “Ostrava Days”. In 2011, Simpson was awarded a scholarship to attend the NYU/ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop where he worked closely with composers Mark Snow ( X-Files) and Ira Newborn ( Naked Gun). After working with the famous jazz band he switched focus toward contemporary composition and film music. In 2007 Simpson went on tour with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra as a member of the trumpet section, under the direction of Larry O’Brien. Simpson's music has also been featured in music festivals around the world including: Canada (Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music 2005), Croatia (Uzmah/Upbeat Festival 2014), Czech Republic (Ostrava Days 2011), France (Chamber Music Festival L'ile D'Yeu 2011, European American Musical Alliance-EAMA, Paris France 2008, 2010), Greece (Fusion Film Scoring), and Italy (Alba Music Festival 2016). Simpson’s compositions have been featured at the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival in Missoula, where he also performed with Lew Soloff and Paquito D'Rivera.

Simpson’s music seeks to explore the playful juxtaposition of jazz language and harmonies with that of driving and propulsive rhythms. He has studied composition with Fred Sturm, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Charles Nichols, John Beall, Sarana Chou, and Joseph Dangerfield. Ten mainstage acts made up the schedule for the 42nd annual Festival, and if there was a connecting thread through this diverse lineup, it was that artistry always came first.Kyle Simpson, multimedia composer, jazz arranger, and trumpet player, is a graduate from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, The University of Montana, and received his D.M.A from West Virginia University. 'After a 2020 season of virtual performances, the festival returned to an all-star, in-person lineup this year. What more could you ask of a jazz festival?' -All About Jazz READ MORE HERE A continuum the dazzling Tri-C Fest both celebrated and joyously expanded. 'It was eclecticism employed in the service of the continuum of the music. His band played with exuberance and swagger.' -Cleveland Classical (review 1 of 3) READ MORE HERE

STEEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2014 FULL

'After eating a Po’boy from The Dawg Bowl Cajun food truck, I caught the first half of Brian Culbertson’s show in The Connor Palace Theatre. Playing to a packed house of enthusiastic fans, whom he thanked for their love and support throughout his career, he put on an excellent show full of lights and well-designed choreography. The educational component also returned with vigor as the additional Next Gen Stage hosted many student ensembles.' -All About Jazz READ MORE HERE

In customary fashion, local acts held forth on the outside stage, while ticketed concerts took place inside at the various theaters. After a two-year hiatus, all activity recently shifted back downtown for an inspired return to form.

'Like with most festivals, the pandemic put the kibosh on the event's usual format.

Steel city jazz festival 2014