Berklee Commencement 2014

Valerie Simpson performs her original, "I'm Every Woman", with students at the Berklee 2014 Commencement Concert.

Geri Allen performs her original "LBWs House" at the 2014 Berklee Commencement Concert in Agganis Arena.

Tia Fuller directs the Berklee Rainbow Band performing "Blues for Warren" by Thara Memory at the 2014 Berklee College of Music Commencement Concert.

Geri Allen performing "Our Lady", featuring Terri Lyne Carrington and Tap Dancer Maurice Chestnut.

Performing variations on Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" is Planet MicroJam lead by David Fiuczynski. David Fiuczynski: fretted and fretless guitar Giorgi Mikadze: microtonal keyboards Layth Siddiq: violin Yazhi Guo: dizi, suona, bells, gongs and wood block Justin Schornstein: bass Zach Mullings: drums This performance was part of Berklee's 2014 commencement concert. At the crossroads of new beats, microtonal harmonies, Eastern melodic inflections, and improvisation concepts, new musical ideas are on the horizon. Planet MicroJam collides sonic aesthetics from our increasingly connected global village to create music that sounds like a Gauguin painting—a raw, powerful, and extremely colorful mix of Eastern and Western elements.

Valerie Simpson talks about performing with Berklee students, the process of learning music, influences, and professionalism. Chosen for an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music, Valerie Simpson is half of the songwriting, production, and performing entity formerly known as Ashford and Simpson. With her late husband Nick Ashford, she cowrote and produced numerous pop and soul hits for music legends such as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Chaka Khan, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need to Get By," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)," and "I'm Every Woman," to name just a few. As performers, Ashford and Simpson's best known songs include "Solid (As a Rock)" and "Found a Cure." The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. Simpson recently released her first solo album, 2012's Dinosaurs Are Coming Back, and was featured on Oprah's Next Chapter. As a member of the ASCAP Foundation Board, she established the Reach Out

The class of 2014 looks back on their years at Berklee College of Music.

Jimmy Page talks about performing with Led Zeppelin, how he learned music, influences on his sound and music, and being chosen for an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music. Jimmy Page is a world renowned guitarist, composer, and producer who has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and subsequently became a member of the Yardbirds, in 1966, before founding Led Zeppelin, in 1968. Over the next decade, Led Zeppelin effectively redefined rock music, drawing on a wide range of influences to create a string of legendary albums that have to date sold an estimated 300 million copies. Through his work with Led Zeppelin, Page became recognized as one of the greatest and most versatile guitarists in history. From acoustic ballads to hard rock standards, his use of unconventional scales and tunings, innovative use of electronic effects, and fresh approaches to records and production took the rock genre to a

Valerie Simpson performs her original "Don't Need No Doctor" with Terri Lyne Carrington, Geri Allen, and graduating students at Berklee's 2014 Commencement Concert at the Agganis Arena. Valerie Simpson is half of the songwriting, production, and performing entity formerly known as Ashford and Simpson. With her late husband Nick Ashford, she cowrote and produced numerous pop and soul hits for music legends such as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Chaka Khan, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need to Get By," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)," and "I'm Every Woman," to name just a few. As performers, Ashford and Simpson's best known songs include "Solid (As a Rock)" and "Found a Cure." The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. Simpson recently released her first solo album, 2012's Dinosaurs Are Coming Back, and was featured on Oprah's Next Chapter. As a member of the ASCAP Foundation Board, she established the Reach Out and

Jimmy Page, Geri Allen, Thara Memory, and Valerie Simpson receive honorary degrees and speak to the graduating class of 2014.