Visit the Jade Simmons New Music Channel on YouTube



Classically Speaking on West Virgina Public Broadcasting
On Dallas-Ft.Worth's WRR Presents, 101.1 FM
WNYC's Soundcheck with John Schaeffer
On Clemson University's Your Day, SC



What is The Rhythm Project? TRP is a performance project dedicated to repertoire that exploits the more rhythmic and percussive nature of the piano. Simmons, daughter of a father who plays African drums and a mother who plays piano, an avid bucket drummer herself and co-founder of Boomshaka (a percussion and dance ensemble at Northwestern University), has found a way to combine her love for all things rhythmic with her passion for piano. This first installment of TRP highlights American composers.

There will be future installments of TRP. If you write music that requires significant rhythmic chops (will have my fingers bleedin'), grooves hard (will have my head noddin' and toes tappin') and possibly calls for extended piano techniques, please send it my way via management@jademedia.org.

If we're lucky, when we die maybe a handful of people will remember us vividly. If we're really fortunate, we will leave this earth having made an indelible impact, having rebelled for a purpose, having revolutionized something. The eclectic collection of composers featured here are in that revolutionary category. This album serves as a true reflection of my affinities and influences. It is the musical story of a pianist enamored with rhythm, indebted to classical music, drawn to modern music and surrounded by technology and popular culture.

Featuring works by Samuel Barber, John Corigliano, Russell Pinkston and DBR. Hip-Hop beats produced by Jonathan Sanford and Jade Simmons.