Carlos Simon

Simon's music is rooted in rich tonal harmony inflected by gospel, blues, and jazz traditions, creating lush sonic landscapes that feel emotionally generous without being simple. His orchestration is warm and colorful, with a particular gift for brass writing that draws on his gospel music background. His works often build from intimate, searching textures to powerful, hymn-like climaxes that feel earned and cathartic.

Trained at Georgia State, Morehouse College, and the Peabody Conservatory. His deep roots in the Black church and gospel tradition are a foundational influence, alongside jazz and the classical African American tradition from Still to George Walker. His Kennedy Center residency has given him an extraordinary platform, and his commissions from major orchestras are growing rapidly.

His early works established his connection to gospel and spiritual traditions. An Elegy: A Cry from the Grave, written in response to police violence against Black Americans, brought him to national attention. His Kennedy Center residency (beginning 2021) has been a launchpad for major commissions and premieres. His recent works show growing orchestral ambition while maintaining the emotional directness that is his hallmark.

Simon's Fate Now Conquers was premiered at the Kennedy Center on a program alongside Beethoven's Fifth Symphony — and audiences responded to it with the same intensity as the Beethoven. The work's raw emotional power, drawing on the spiritual tradition, proved that new music can hold its own alongside the pillars of the repertoire when it speaks with genuine conviction.

Simon is also an accomplished pianist and filmmaker — he's directed short films and multimedia works that integrate visual storytelling with his compositions. This multimedia sensibility informs his concert works, which often have a cinematic sense of narrative and visual imagination.

Simon is one of the most rapidly rising composers in American concert life. His Kennedy Center residency and major orchestra commissions mean his music is appearing on prestigious programs nationwide. He's a genuine audience-builder — his music connects immediately while carrying profound cultural weight. Expect his presence on programs to grow significantly in coming seasons.