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Big Stars, Bright Nights - Simone with Ryan Shaw

Presented by Park City Performing Arts Foundation at Deer Valley Outdoor Amphitheatre

August 2, 2009

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Simone, the daughter of the late, great Nina Simone, and Grammy-nominated retro-soul singer Ryan Shaw join forces in a double-billing of blues, jazz, rock and funk. The St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights concert heats up Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Simone (née Lisa Celeste Stroud) has made her mark on Broadway with starring roles in 'Rent' and 'Aida.' In her singer/songwriter guise, she manages to span a wide range of genres: pop, soul, jazz, rock and funk. Whether performing original tunes or her mother's popular songs, she manages to assert her own style while paying homage to one of her greatest influences. The Philadelphia Tribune writes, 'Though her vocal range surpasses her mother's, the younger Simone performs with reckless abandon. She's less controlled and her enthusiasm is contagious.' All About Jazz raves, 'Blessed with a rich vocal range, an innate skill for lyrical interpretation and a soul-deep understanding of music as a means of healing, empowerment and celebration, Simone is very much her mother's daughter, but she is most assuredly a multi-talented artist in her own right.' Shaw, who opened for Joss Stone two years ago and rocked The Eccles Center last year, returns with his refreshing take on R&B. A kid that learned to sing in his Georgia church choir, the 28 year-old brings what The New York Times describes as 'refreshing authenticity to the soul-revival movement.' He borrows tunes from Wilson Pickett and Bobby Womack as well as composing his own, several of which appeared on his debut album This is Ryan Shaw. His concerts incorporate a small rhythm section, a couple of back-up vocalists and the show-stopper: his passionate, powerful voice. According to People Magazine, 'Ryan Shaw possesses a voice and style that belong to another era, when R&B was about real singers, real instruments and real songs.' And the San Francisco Chronicle touts his 'perfect balance between raw passion and melisma-rich vocal prowess.' Since his last Park City appearance, he's toured relentlessly, promoting his own album and opening for Van Halen. He's also recorded music for the History Channel and the film My Blueberry Nights. The Simone-Shaw double-billing is a coming together of vibrant performers, both of whom respectfully borrow from the old school of jazz, rhythm and blues.