Nia Simmons

Nia Simmons is a talented singer and song writer from the Washington, DC area who has, already, topped the charts in the UK in the Soul category and was nominated for various awards for her talent, nationally and internationally. She was an original member of a jazz group called Afro Blues during her time at Howard University and can be found in the 2nd issue of Azur Magazine - which will be ready for download around Oct. 18th . . .

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​You can find Nia's web site at www.niasmimmons.com

I went to Howard University back in 1986 and realized the art department should have been my resting ground. . .. Instead, I spent too much time in Poly Sci and found myself wandering to the art department, from time to time, visiting friends and . .basically jamming (performing music . . ). So, I met a blogger who told me I had got to meet a singer named Nia Simmons . .who happened to be a Howard alumni. . and a really good singer. To my amazement . . .she was doing time on the UK charts for Soul music and getting the word out about her music, nationally and internationally. How she was able to get this popular became interesting . . .so I called her and we, finally, sat down to talk about her career . .This is what she had to say . . .

Azur Mag: Um . . .Did you want to sing Gospel while growing up . . .in VA . . or did you . .plan to go into R&B . . .or . .I guess you're doing a little Gospel, now, right . ?

Nia: Well, primarily I'm doing R&B now, but growing up Gospel was definitely in the house hold. And of course I was singing it in church, as well.

Azur Mag: Ok . . .Have you thought about opera . . ? . . ..Or becoming an Opera singer . . .? I noticed you had Placido Domingo as . . .one of the people you performed with . . .?

Nia: Well even though I love classical music, and I definitely have an appreciation for it, I never really saw myself singing it. Actually, the opportunity with Placido Domingo came about during my time at Howard University. The Howard University Choir was selected to participate in a production of Carmen Jones at the Kennedy Center. Mr. Domingo was the conductor of the orchestra and the show starred Vanessa Williams in the lead role. So that's actually how that happened. It was a great experience, but as far as me actually doing it (laughs) I don't think that's a route that I would like to go. Even though I enjoy the music.

Azur Mag: So . . .you plan, mainly . ., to be an R&B . . .or . .you are an R&B singer . . .so . . .that's . . basically, what your career . . .is leading toward . . .just the R&B . .and not the Opera. . . or Gospel . . .?

Nia: Well, I call myself an R&B, Soul, and Jazz singer. Actually, during my Howard University days I didn't go the classical route. I was actually a Jazz studies major, so that's what my degree is in. And that's how I became affiliated with Afro Blue, the premier Jazz vocal group. I'm actually an original member of the group.

Azur Mag: So . .your . . um . . .actually going the Jazz route as well as the R&B route . . .Have you located any record labels . . .like Blue Note . .or. . .None Such . . or any of them . .?

Nia: At this time I've decided to go the independent route. Because if I were to approach a label like Blue Note, I'd kind of be restricted to that particular genre and I just like having the freedom to go any music route that I choose. So if I want to do R&B, I'll do that. If I want to switch over to jazz, I can do that too. And actually on my project that I just released you get a little taste of jazz, as well as R&B and Soul. So I like having the flexibility to just be free to create the music that I want to create.

Azur Mag: Yeah . . .ok. . .um . . .What made you decide to go to Howard U.?

Nia: Ahh . .that choice was actually quite easy. Because of the reputation of the school and the people that have come out of the division of fine arts. You know, Phylicia Rashad, Taraji P Henson, because I actually came in as a theatre arts major at first and then switched over to a music major. And of course a lot of great people came out of the music department. Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack, Angela Winbush, and the list goes on. So it was an easy choice going the fine arts route. The other reason I selected Howard was because my mother was on the staff so I had free tuition.

Azur Mag: (laughs)

Nia: (Laughs)

Azur Mag: Right. . .that's cool . . .so . . my next question . . .Have you thought about attending Berklee or Julliard. . .but I guess since your mom . . .was on staff . . .the obvious choice would be Howard . . .

Nia: Well . she's not on staff anymore. She was actually on staff with Howard University Hospital.

Azur Mag: Ok. . .

Nia: But, I mean, I would definitely be opened to pursuing my education further by going to an illustrious school like Julliard or Berklee.

Azur Mag: You would have pursued it . .or . . .you thought about it . . ?

Nia: I mean, the option’s still open.

Azur Mag: Oh . .ok . .the option is . . .open . . .um . .What was Afro Blue about?

Nia: Afro Blue was a concept created by professor Connaitre Miller. It was actually a class that's called Jazz Vocal Workshop. And what she did was created three different jazz choirs, Afro Blue being the most advanced of the three. You have to audition to be placed in whichever choir that you were to participate in. And when I auditioned I was selected to perform with Afro Blue. Since then the group has gone on to win various jazz awards, DownBeat Magazine awards, and have shared the stage with many artists. So from when it started when I was in it, to now it has grown into something spectacular. From their being on NBC’s The Sing Off and other opportunities. I’m just excited to see what happens with the group moving forward.

Azur Mag: Right. . . um . . ok . . .Can you tell me about your debut single, Living for Today?

Nia: Living for Today was a song that I wrote. Actually, my first song writing effort in a long while so I wasn't sure how it was going to be. But I just took a chance and started performing it and eventually did get it recorded. And to my surprise it was very well received, particularly overseas to the point where in the UK, it made it on the UK Soul Chart and peaked at number 13. So I was very excited.

Azur Mag: How did you promote that . . I mean . . .what channels did you go through . . .to promote your single . . ?

Nia: Social media is a wonderful thing, and the internet. That's basically the tools that I had at my disposal at that time. So between me promoting it myself along with my friend Rick White who produced the song, we were able to circulate it around. And that's pretty much how I got it out there.

Azur Mag: Wow . . .so . .how about the UK Soul charts . . .what was it like appearing on that chart . . .I mean . .you've kind of answered that question . .but. . .um. . .but I just find it amazing that you were able to use social networks to get out there . . .and then they brought you up . . .

Nia: Yeah, social networks and internet radio. A whole bunch of DJs use internet radio to promote independent Soul music like what I produced. That's probably one of the main avenues used to get my music out here worldwide. And yeah (laughs) that's, basically, how it ended up getting on the Soul Chart. Because so many DJs were playing the song so the chart people took notice of that and that's how I got onto the chart.

Azur Mag: Right . . .ok . . .Do you finance your own demos . . .or do you have any kind of business financing for you?

Nia: Everything I've put out, everything that I've done promotionally has been done by me. I'm pretty much a team of one, and I do it all in addition to being the artist. I'm my own manager and my own promoter, and so anything that needs to get done is usually done by me.

Azur Mag: Right . . .ok . .so . .let's switch gears . . .You did a track . . or a CD . . non-profit album . . .A Songbird's Journey . . . am I correct about that. . .?

Nia: Yes, that's my baby project.

Azur Mag: Alright . .so . .which do you prefer . . .actually doing your own social networking on a single. . .or. .do you like the non-profit approach . . .?

Nia: Ahh . .When you say non-profit what do you mean?

Azur Mag: I don't know . . for some reason –

Nia: - I'm selling it.

Azur Mag: Oh . .you are selling [A Songbird's Journey], too?

Nia: Yes.

Azur Mag: Oh . .ok. . .I . .thought it was a little different than Living for Today because . . .you had . .some kind of . .Maryland State . . Council . . .

Nia: Oh, you're talking about the award.

Azur Mag: Yeah . . .

Nia; Yeah, that's something different (laughs). That was a performing arts grant that I applied for and won from the state of Maryland, the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award. That's something that's offered every year that people in the performing arts and other artistic mediums can apply for. They rotate the art categories each year. I was actually one of the people that was selected in the category, Solo Music Performance Non-classical.

Azur Mag: Wow . . .ok . . .Do you have any last words for your viewing audience. . .? . .Or what venues do you plan to perform in . .. in the future . . .?

Nia: I plan to perform anywhere that supports what I do, supports independent artists in addition to helping spread the art for people to hear. The next thing that I'll be doing is a European tour in November. I'll be doing a 6 city tour starting in the Netherlands and will also be in France and three cities in the UK.

Azur Mag: Right . .I forgot about that . . .ok . . .

Nia; That's the MusicConnex Live Soul City Tour. I'll be one of three performers from the United States who's going to be on that tour.

Azur Mag: So . .how did you book that tour? . . .

Nia: Well, once again, the social media. A friend of mine who had done the tour previously connected me to the promoter sometime last year. So when he heard that my album was done I sent it to him. He liked what he heard and the next thing I knew he was inviting me to participate on the tour.

Azur Mag: Wow . . .

Nia: Yeah. . . Azur Mag: Yeah . .. . social media is wild . . .I didn't know you could go that far . .so . ..I commend you on that . . .well . .Do you have anything else to add for your viewing audience . . .?

Nia: Well, I guess the only other thing I'd say is support independent artists because it's definitely time to recognize those who produce good music for the folks to hear. And a lot of it may not ever get on the main stream networks and airwaves, but it's important that you get the support of as many people as you can just to keep going. And fortunately I've been blessed in that area to have the support that I've had, and hopefully people will check me out on my web site - niasimmons.com . .and connect with me on social media.

Azur Mg: Wow . . .thank you very much . . .Take care.

Again . . .you can find Nia Simmons at www.niasimmons.com I believe I googled her and found the other social networks plus a facebook page. . .at . . .www.facebook.com/niathesongbird

#NiaSimmons