Composer in Residence (from 21/22): the Kennedy Center
Carlos Simon is a multi-faceted and highly sought-after composer, whose music ranges from concert music for large and small ensembles to film scores with influences of jazz, gospel, and neo-romanticism.
Recently announced as Composer in Residence at the Kennedy Center, Carlos’ commissioning highlights include premiere works with: New York Philharmonic; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Opera; Philadelphia Orchestra; and Washington National Opera. The Philadelphia Enquirer described his music as “perfectly engaging and propulsive”.
Upcoming performances of his works include concerts by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Diego Symphony and by the Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall.
Previously, his work has been performed by the likes of San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Hub New Music Ensemble, the Asian/American New Music Institute and the Flint Symphony. His work has also been performed at the 2021 Ojai Festival by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hollywood Bowl by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In 2018, Carlos’ string quartet, Elegy, honouring the lives of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner was performed at the Kennedy Center for the Mason Bates JFK Jukebox Series.
Simon’s latest album My Ancestor’s Gift, which was released in April 2018 on Navona Records, epitomises Simon’s work incorporating spoken word and historic recordings alongside traditional classical music, crafting a multi-faceted record that speaks to audiences past and future.
Carlos Simon joined the inaugural class of the Gabriela Lena Frank Academy of Music. He then went on to be named a Sundance/Time Warner Composer Fellow in 2018, seeing him work at the legendary Skywalker Ranch and he was a recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence in 2021.
