Carlos Simon

Carlos Simon is a versatile composer and arranger who combines the influences of jazz, gospel, and neo- romanticism.

His most recent accolades include winning the Underwood Emerging Composer Commission from the American Composers Orchestra in 2016, the prestigious Marvin Hamlisch Film Scoring Award in 2015, and the Presser Award from the Theodore Presser Foundation in 2015. Morehouse College commissioned Simon to celebrate its 150th founding anniversary in 2017.In addition during its 2015–2016 season, Simon was honored to received a commission by the University of Michigan Symphony band celebrating the university’s 200th anniversary. He now serves as a member of the music faculty at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Simon’s music has been performed the Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Hub New Music Ensemble, the Asian/ American New Music Institute, the University of Michigan Symphony Band, American Composers Orchestra, Flint Symphony and many other performance organizations. During its 2015–2016 season, the Detroit Chamber String and Winds also named Simon as its young composer-in-residence. He now serves as a member of the music faculty at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Acting as music director and keyboardist for GRAMMY Award winner Jennifer Holliday, Simon has performed with the Boston Pops Symphony, Jackson Symphony, and St. Louis Symphony. He has toured internationally with soul GRAMMY-nominated artist, Angie Stone, and performed throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Simon earned his doctorate degree at the University of Michigan, where he studied with Michael Daugherty and Evan Chambers. He has also received degrees from Georgia State University and Morehouse College.

Carlos Simon, Jr. is a member of many music organizations including ASCAP, where he was honored as one of the “Composers to Watch” in 2015. He is also an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Music Sinfonia Fraternity and a member of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Society of Composers International, and Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society. His compositions have been published by the Gregorian Institute of America (GIA) Publications and Hal Leonard Publications.