The Arthropologist
Beauty Queen's Impulse gives even a toy piano artist a chance
Jade Simmons, founder of ImpulsePhoto by Debora Smail/Reality Photography
Phyllis Chen, piano/toy piano
Suresh Singaratnam, trumpetPhoto by Adrienne Garneau
Kris Becker, multi-genre keyboardist/composerPhoto by Jack Opatrany
Brandee Younger, harpPhoto by Kyle Pompey
Jade Simmons, founder of ImpulsePhoto by Lisa Marie Mazzucco
Pianist Jade Simmons dazzled the audience with her dynamic playing Wednesday night as part of Everette Harp Unplugged, a benefit concert for Musiqa. Harp and Bobby Lyle were quite amazing as well.
"You've got what it takes," Simmons' music professor pronounced after her master's recital, while she was in grad school at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. Tall, elegant with beauty queen good looks and piano chops to match, Simmons has indeed carved out a career for herself. Her busy performance and speaking schedule sends her all over the map, but that's not what she wants to talk about today.
With her Impulse Artists Series, running today through Nov. 15, it's other young artists' careers she's placing front and center.
These days, it's not enough just to have the goods in the classical music industry.
"You can't remain in the 'I'm good' bubble,' " Simmons says. "Everyone is good."
The reality of career in classical music involves a bit more than being excellent at your instrument, which is exactly why Simmons enjoys giving the next generation the tools to have a sustainable career through programs like her savvy career tip video series Emerge Already and the Impulse Series.
"Honestly, I think I would have been happy simply performing if things had turned out in the fairy tale way and that's still true," Simmons says. "I enjoy the performance aspect of my career. The work I do for Impulse has surprisingly become an especially fulfilling part of my artistic life, very different than what I get from the stage."
Simmons culled some of her communication skills outside of the concert hall. Her time as Miss Illinois sent her on speaking gigs all over the state and the chance to compete in the 2000 Miss America Pageant, where she came in second. She even got close to having her own TV show in an Oprah competition.
"The idea of self-promotion is still taboo in classical music circles," she says.
Simmons' efforts are part of a growing movement to better equip artists with business skills. The Emerge Already video series is a perfect example of her no nonsense approach. Simmons dishes out advice in a lively tone on everything from competitions to branding. Her warm, but practical style makes it look doable. She's funny and spot-on in her suggestions.
Simmons has selected four artists for this year's roster who will be giving numerous performances throughout the series. With a theme of alter ego, Simmons looked for artists who play in more than one genre, so expect formal concerts and club shows. There is no application process; Simmons seeks artists on a threshold in their career, ready to take the next step.
"I put my ear to the pavement and find them," Simmons says.
This year's Impulse artists include harpist Brandee Younger, toy pianist and multi-media artist Phyllis Chen, pianist and keyboardist Kris Becker and trumpeter Suresh Singaratnam. These artists are hardly emerging, yet each is working to define their diverse niches within contemporary and classical music. Not only will they be performing in several venues, they will have a chance to play in a presenters showcase, have a professional photo session and participate in Breakthrough Skills for the Modern Day Artist, a co-presentation with Spacetaker.
Younger finds the Impulse Series a good fit.
"I feel like I have an alter ego since I balance the lives of teaching traditional classical harp in three institutions and privately, and performing in three genres. I can spend a a night at a jazz club playing until 3 am, then be at an orchestra rehearsal at 11 a.m., and a hip-hop studio session on any given day," Younger says. "I often struggled with what 'kind' of harpist I am, but over time, just embraced the fact that this is what it is.
"I really aim to make harp a more relevant force among today's music. Impulse has really challenged me in that I am used to performing in some kind of ensemble. Whether jazz duo, trio, quarter or chamber orchestra, or studio work with tracks, there's always something/someone behind me. So the preparation for this has really done me good, in that I'm forced to rely solely on myself."
Chen is excited to meet the other Impulse Artists.
"I have been playing classical piano since I was five and fell in love with the toy piano at 21. It has been incredible to be concertizing (mostly) on toy piano in the last several years and bringing my music to new places and new audiences," Chen says. "Jade has really created a music festival that seems relevant to our times and reflects the change that is going on in the music scene and in musician's interests."
Chen realizes the toy piano may be new to Houston audiences.
"Just because it's a toy piano doesn't mean that there is less expression in the instrument. I have marveled at the human imagination while discovering some pieces that composers have written for it," Chen says. "I have played works that that are raucous, intense and heartfelt."
Houston-based Becker plans to launch Becker & The Frozen Heat, his new rock band at Last Concert Cafe as part of the series. The classical pianist had been separating his classical and club work but no more. He's ready to look at all that he is and hopes to use the Impulse Series to do just that.
"Impulse enables an artist to show the entire breadth of his or her abilities at once. That's unique," Becker says. "Impulse could not have come at a better time for me because I am very much at the front end of my career, still defining what I am doing. I hope to gain new fans, introduce myself to Houston and bring joy to this town."
Singaratnam prefers to keep his double genre career as a classical and jazz musician separate.
"I really do have to switch gears. It may be the same instrument but it's like playing different characters. Don't make me choose," says the Toronto-based trumpeter. "I have always loved both. I've been getting a lot of attention for my new jazz album Lost in New York, so it will be good to focus on my classical stuff."
Singaratnam is excited to visit Houston for the first time and participate in the workshop. "It will be like being back at school," he says.
As Simmons travels from performer to presenter she relishes the chance to be a mentor to her colleagues. It's clear that she delights in her double life.
"In this ever-elusive balance I'm searching for, artistically speaking (meaning mom and wife life aside), I would spend the majority of my time creating and performing, but would have the type of team in place that would continue to grow Impulse's mission and programs," she says. "I'm almost there."
Simmons dishes on getting the attention of mainstream media in episode #6 of Emerge Already:
Impulse Artist Phyllis Chen talks about her life and work:
