(November 19, 2024) Nate Simpson is noted for his ability to embody some of our greatest vocalists on stage. Simpson played a young Bob Marley in the musical “Get Up, Stand Up.” He played Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Berry Gordy in “Motown: The Musical.” Simpson played Nat King Cole in the stage musical “The Crooners” and for some added cultural bona fides, Simpson played Simba in the stage version of “The Lion King.”
Just focus on the plays about Bob Marley, Motown and Nat King Cole. Simpson not only used his voice to tell the story of 20th Century Music, but the breadth of genres, vocal styles, stage presence and personalities that he captured in these diverse performances reveals an artist with remarkable range and adaptability.
Those qualities can also be heard in Simpson’s new single, “Strong,” that is the subject of this First Listen. “Strong” finds Simpson lending his emotive voice to a classic soul song that fuses the love song with lyrics and an arrangement that borrows from and is inspired by the church. The piano interjections connect a corner where jazz and gospel meet, and Simpson throws his all into lyrics that speak to the spiritual element of how true love and be a source of strength.
It’s clear that Simpson did more than sing the music of Marley, Motown and Nat King Cole, he used their supreme talents as a master class to create a soul classic of his own. Check out “Strong” here.
By Howard Dukes
