Chrisette Michele first appeared on the everyday listener's radar through duets with Jay-Z (“Lost Ones”) and Nas (“Can’t Forget About You,” which samples Nat King Cole). Now she shows off her gospel chops, jazz and R&B roots on her debut solo album simply titled, I AM. Only twenty-four years of age, the singer-songwriter from Long Island, NY was raised in church, singing in the choir while composing music since twelve. Though she’d long been a fan of gospel and classical, it wasn’t until she was seventeen that she also developed a passion for jazz along with the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Astrud Gilberto. Known for her heartfelt and thought-provoking lyrics, Chrisette was signed personally by Antonio “L.A.” Reid to Def Jam and toured with India.Arie, Kem, and Raheem DeVaughn, Angie Stone, Amel Larrieux, and Donnell Jones as part of the 2006 Heineken Red Star Soul tour.

With a sensual voice as soothing as a summer sunset and equally colorful songs, Michele’s soulful and jazz-influenced debut, I AM, hits just the right notes. Featuring production help from Babyface, will.i.am, John Legend and Salaam Remi, the songs on her album reflect Michele’s life experiences (she wrote all of the lyrics). “Your Joy” is a downtempo song about a child speaking to his or her father. The classic R&B grooved “Like A Dream” boasts an infectious melody with a sing-along chorus hook, and “Good Girl” and “Best of Me” are tributes to independent women. “If I Have My Way” is a soulful ballad where Chrisette Michele boldly proclaims her desire for her beau when their relationship becomes official. Often likened to Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae and an early Jill Scott, Michele’s goal is “to create a seamless album that mixes soul and pop in a way that will have people coming back again and again.” With an opening slot for Musiq Soulchild’s upcoming US tour and the release of I AM, her dreams are finally becoming reality.


CHRISETTE MICHELE & MUSIQ (SOULCHILD) Tour Dates
July
6 Baltimore, MD @ Afram
11 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
12 Toronto, Ont. @ Phoenix Theatre
13 Detroit, MI @ Chene Park
15 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Theatre
19 Newark, NJ @ NJ PAC
20 Philadelphia, PA @ Penn's Landing
21 Atlantic City, NJ @ Tropicana
24-25 New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
27 Omaha, NE @ Holland PAC
29 Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont

Aug
3 San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s
4 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wilshire
6 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore