Nnenna Freelon is "Coming Home" to Headline CHAF Benefit Concert
Nnenna Freelon, a five-time Grammy nominee and a Cambridge
native, will sing Gospel, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues at the 5th
anniversary benefit concert for the Cambridge Housing Assistance
Fund at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2003 at Sanders Theatre.
Freelon will produce a 90-minute television special of her
performance entitled, "Coming Home." The concert coincides with
Freelon's 8th CD release - LIVE - on Concord Records.
"Every heart deserves a home," said Freelon. "On October 3rd, we're
singing for every heart to have a home." With strong ties to
Cambridge, Freelon sees this benefit as an opportunity to reconnect
with her hometown, while helping Cambridge homeless. Freelon's
first public performance was of "Amazing Grace" at the age of seven
in the Union Baptist Church in Cambridge.
The Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF) provides rental startup
costs to open doors for homeless and near homeless families who are
making the transition from a shelter, or life on the street, to a
home of their own.
CHAF is a public/private partnership of the Cambridge Community
of Realtors, HomeStart, the Cambridge Multi Service Center for the
Homeless and the Cambridge Housing Authority in a community
coalition with Harvard University, Cambridge banks and other
businesses, community leaders and individuals pulling together to
break the cycle of homelessness.
CHAF's 2003 goal is to raise $150,000 to assist 100 households
this year with the startup costs of rental housing. Since 1999, CHAF
has assisted nearly 400 households.
Following her double Grammy nominated CD - Soulcall - Freelon
returned to the studio to pay tribute to Stevie Wonder with the Top
Ten Concord Jazz CD release Tales of Wonder.
"Tales of Wonder is the realization of a lifelong love affair
I've had with Stevie's music," said Freelon, whose upcoming CD
release - LIVE - was recently recorded in Washington, D.C.
Freelon, who gave a rousing performance at the 2002 Globe Jazz Fest,
is the winner of the Billie Holiday Award from the Acedemie du Jazz
and the Eubie Blake Award. She has twice been nominated for
the "Lady of Soul" Soul Train Award.
Media Contact
David Pap
O: 617.864.8566 ext. 244
C: 617.594.1088 David.Pap@NEmoves.com
