Acclaimed Pianist & Hometown Sweetheart Jade Simmons Returns to Charleston for Fiery Performance

Oct. 18, 2012 - PRLog -- On the heels of her newly released EP, Playing with Fire, the fearless pianist Jade Simmons is planning a Post-Thanksgiving Day concert to remember, designed especially for her hometown supporters in Charleston, SC. The Charleston native, and graduate of the former St. Andrew’s High School, handpicked The Hippodrome as the venue most likely to provide the out-of-the-box type of concert experience she likes to offer. Rachmaninoff to Rap is an eclectic music and storytelling experience that will feature Classical works from the Romantic era, Contemporary Classical works inspired by Jazz and original music by Simmons from Playing with Fire created for piano to be accompanied by electronic Hip Hop beats. Part intellectual/part comedienne, Jade peppers the concert with poignant and often humorous stories about her existence as a Black, female, Classical pianist. In an unexpected turn, Charlestonians will have the chance to witness Jade go from Classical Darling to Fierce Femcee as she shows off her newfound talents as a rapper in the title track “Fire” from Playing with Fire.  The EP is digitally available on iTunes and other online music retailers, but will be available in limited “Chucktown” edition hard copies on site at the Hippodrome. Space is limited, advanced purchase is highly recommended at http://www.hippodromewidescreen.com. VIP tickets include seats on the first few rows keyboard side, a signed hard copy of Playing with Fire and a pass to a private, up-close reception with Jade following the show.
      
What: Jade Simmons presents Rachmaninoff to Rap in a special homecoming performance
When: Friday, Nov. 23rd, 2012, 6:30-8:30pm, VIP Reception 9:00pm
Where: The Hippodrome, 360 Concord St., Suite 100
                     Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 724-9132
Cost: $25 General Admission, $40 VIP
*Kids ages 8 and up are welcomed to attend with their parents.

Playing with Fire, released on Jade’s own Superwoman Records, is a mini-release that puts on display Jade's love of hybrid musical compilations with pieces inspired by Contemporary Classical, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Dancehall and Film music backed by Old and New School Hip Hop beats created for her by musical collaborator Roburt Reynolds.

Jade is not only one of the world’s few and most accomplished African-American, female Classical pianists and the internet personality for both the Van Cliburn and Tchaikovsky International music competitions, but is also a former Miss Chicago, Miss Illinois and 1st runner-up at Miss America, an advocate for youth suicide prevention and a writer who also blogs for the Huffington Post. Her performances have taken her to renowned concert halls across the country and abroad, creative spaces including the Apple store in New York and 2011 ended with an appearance at the White House. She has won accolades for her contributions on and off the stage in Symphony Magazine, on Magic Johnson’s new TV network Aspire, Ebony Magazine’s Top 30 under 30 list and can currently be found on Essence Magazine’s Style & Substance list (October 2012) alongside the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama, Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas, Media Mogul Tyra Banks, Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Award-winning Actress/Singer Audra McDonald. For more info on Jade Simmons and her multiple musical exploits, please visit: http://www.jademedia.org