Chaka Khan and Macy Gray Close Toronto Jazz Festival

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival came to an amazing end with a free concert that drew traffic-blocking crowds to Yonge-Dundas Square.

Chaka Khan and Macy Gray were the double treat for yesterday evening's closing of the festival. Both singers truly impressed the crowd with their stellar performances and voices.

Chaka Khan, who was considered to be the headliner pleased the audience with classics such as “Through the Fire,” “Sweet Thing” and “I’m Every Woman”.

Macy Gray was more laid back, she included microphone feedback and sang songs from her new album "Beauty in the World". The crowd got very excited when she sang her classic track “I Try.”

Origins To Host First Annual “Origins Rocks Earth Month Concert”

In celebration of Earth Month 2010 and Origins Earth Initiatives which support programs that help to sustain the planet, Origins will host its first annual Origins Rocks Earth Month Concert in NYC on April 19th. Fans are invited to the FREE star-studded concert at Webster Hall New York City located in Downtown Manhattan featuring Grammy Award-Winner Macy Gray. Origins has chosen to partner with Macy as her new single "Beauty In The World" captures the sentiment of Earth Month. The concert will also include performances by emerging artists Ryan Star and Jon McLaughlin and will be hosted by a special celebrity guest emcee.

"At Origins, we recognize the importance of environmental stewardship. Earth Month 2010 provides the perfect platform for Origins to reaffirm its commitment to giving back to Mother Nature, employing green practices and celebrating the planet," announces Jane Lauder, General Manager/Senior Vice President, Origins. "Last year, through our Global Earth Initiative, Origins collected 7,500 pounds of empty cosmetic packaging to be recycled or responsibly converted to energy and planted nearly 24,000 trees. This year we are eager to further our green programs."

"I am thrilled to be a part of the first annual Origins Rocks Earth Month Concert," exclaims Macy Gray. "Origins is known for its industry-leading commitment to the people and the planet. I am proud to be partnering with a brand that aligns with my beliefs of planting trees and cleaning up the earth for future generations."

Macy Gray Retuns with “Beauty In The World”

Macy Gray Premieres "Beauty In The World" Music Video on VEVO.com! Check out Macy Gray gettin' funky with cheerleaders and skater boys in this Adria Petty directed music video. This is the first single from Macy's forthcoming album “The Sellout”.

“The Sellout” is a testament to Gray’s resolve and songwriting chops that the material feels so honest and authentic but yet effortless, moving seamlessly from one track to the next. There’s nothing forced, nothing that feels out of place. Fittingly, the album ends with the anthemic track, “The Comeback,” a bookend declaration of things accomplished and the hope for better things to come:

“Hey big world it’s me again/I’m coming way back to be big again.”  Says Gray.

“I just poured my heart out,” she says. “I didn’t set out to have a theme, but when I put them all together it was a picture of my life in that time. I’m dying for people to like it.”

“The Sellout” will hit stores on June 22nd.

 

Macy Gray will be headlining a FREE concert at NYC's Webster Hall on 4/19/10. Please visit http://www.origins.com/macygray to find out how you can win free tickets.