Called a "class act" by the Los Angeles Times, American bass DeAndre Simmons is consistently recognized for his velvety voice, incisive musicianship, and captivating stage presence. He has appeared on musical theater, operatic, symphonic, and recital stages in all 50 states and across four continents. Career highlights include performing Mozart's Requiem in the presence of Pope John Paul II, being one of only 10 musicians invited to participate in a concert for Nelson Mandela, and singing for seven US Presidents — from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama.
Simmons is frequently immersed in the operas of Handel, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, and Verdi. Career engagements include performances with Opera Philadelphia, San Diego Opera, Opera Panama, and Pacific Opera Victoria, and the premieres of several new works — including the West Coast premiere of William Bolcom's A Wedding, the Canadian premiere of Marc Blitzstein's Regina, and the East Coast premiere of Richard Danielpour and Toni Morrison's Margaret Garner. He also sang the role of Detective Watts in the workshop of Stephen Schwartz's Séance on a Wet Afternoon. On the orchestral stage, Simmons has performed with major ensembles across the US, UK, and Europe, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, LA Phil, Kansas City Symphony, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Italy's RAI National Symphony Orchestra.
Simmons is a veteran of musical theater, having recently performed as Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Kerchak in Tarzan, Boatman in Sunday in the Park with George, and Ken in Ain't Misbehavin'. Additional credits include Steven in She Loves Me, the Wolf in Into the Woods, Curtis in Dreamgirls, the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, and Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha. He frequently performs music from the Great American Songbook in recital, concert, and cabaret settings — including his cabaret tribute to Stephen Sondheim, Just Me and Stephen: The Songs of Stephen Sondheim, which he toured across the US.
Upcoming engagements in 2024 include Montrellous in Lynn Nottage's Clyde's with Moxie Theatre, Bonze in Puccini's Madama Butterfly with San Diego Opera, the West Coast premiere of Zach Redler's The Falling and the Rising with Bodhi Tree Concerts, and a slate of solo recitals.
An alumnus of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and the Old Globe Theatre Intensive, Simmons holds degrees from the University of the Arts, Manhattan School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music. He studied voice with Fred Carama, Barbara Cook, and James Morris, acting with Uta Hagen, and the Fosse catalog with Ann Reinking and Jacques D'Ambroise.
Upcoming Performances
