Verlette Simon

Verlette Simon (born December 6, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York) is a Washington, DC based singer-songwriter whose work encompasses elements of folk, jazz, gospel and classic R&B.
Early years
Verlette grew up performing in musicals, singing in the church choir, and in her school's chorus. She was also one of the youngest writers for the musical "I'm Growing As Fast As I Can" at Manhattan's Off-Center Theater. At 17 she embraced rock and roll and fronted a number of bands, most notably the New York-based band Buddah. She has performed as a vocalist with many artists including the Fine Young Cannibals and Monie Love. She has also worked as an advertising jingle singer, a voice teacher, a middle school teacher, and was co-founder of Jungle Nut Productions a drum-n-bass music distributor.
Career
She has won two Wammies (Washington Area Music Awards) for Best Vocalist and Best Recording in the Urban Contemporary Category for her 2003 CD Elements, a collaborative effort recorded with guitarist Michael Willis, released on her own Twisted Folk Music label. Verlette released her sophomore CD on Twisted Folk Music in 2007 entitled Proof of Life where she continues to expand on her folk roots with a jazzy, gospel-tinged spin on bouncy pop conventions and introspective melancholy.
Verlette Simon performs throughout the DC area with Mark Sylvester on guitars, banjo, percussion and backing vocals as a duo and with a full band featuring Lynn Veronneau and, often, guest musicians Cletus Kennelly, Ken Avis, and Annelisa Guries. She has performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Music Center at Strathmore Hall and at many festivals, concert halls and clubs in the US and abroad.
Citing The Indigo Girls, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Armatrading, Toshi Reagon and a host of soul songwriters that she grew up listening to as her major influences, Verlette describes her music as being "...all about art and healing energy. Intimate, rhythmic, creative, soul-stirring, and energetic."
Discography
Studio albums
Elements (with Michael Willis) (2003)
Proof of Life (2007)
Singles
Right for Me/Sorry (2002)
Appears on
Arthur Loves Plastic - Higher Fruit (2003)
Oasis Acoustic Radio Sampler Volume VII/#16 (2007)

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