Look To The Stars News: Corinne Bailey Rae

Peace Day Concert 2008 To Rock London

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

After last year’s sell out show, the annual Peace One Day concert is set to rock the Royal Albert Hall in London.

World Peace Day has been held on September 21 annually since 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted September 21 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The initiative came from an idea by Jeremy Gilley, who founded his non-profit organization – Peace One Day – in 1999. Since then he has amassed an impressive list of supporters, including Chris Martin, Sir Richard Branson, Angelina Jolie, Alan Rickman, and Michael Douglas.

This year’s concert will see performances from Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams, and a guest appearance from Jude Law. There will also be a gala screening of The Day After Peace, the acclaimed new documentary film made by Jeremy Gilley. The film, which received a great reception at its premiere during the 61st Cannes Film Festival, features Kofi Annan, The Dalai Lama, Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Annie Lennox and Jonny Lee Miller.

The 2007 concert featured acts such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Kate Nash, James Morrison, and Yusuf, with video segments from David Beckham and the Dalai Lama.

Tickets to the 2008 Peace Day Concert can be bought from Ticketmaster, and cost between £35 and £55.

Celebrity Auctions Kick Off The New Year

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:24:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The new year has kicked off with a flurry of celebrity charity auctions, with items for sale to benefit a plethora of worthwhile causes and issues.

The American Civil Liberties Union is a national organization that advocates individual rights by litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad range of issues, including free speech, AIDS, human rights, racism, and more. The Southern California branch of ACLU has launched an auction on www.charityfolks.com to raise much-needed funds.

Items up for auction until January 3 include lunch with Jake Gyllenhaal on the set of his new film, a framed and autographed art print by Viggo Mortensen, the chance to dine with Harry Belafonte or Mike Farrell, a signed T shirt and photo from Danny Glover, and original artwork from singer Maria McKee, and an autographed copy of Corinne Bailey Rae’s single, “I’d Like To”.

Also up for auction on the Charity Folks website are 12 twelve very special packages to see Hilary Duff in concert. VIP tickets and the chance to go backstage to meet the young diva are included, and the concerts are being held across the US, Mexico, and Australia.

Proceeds from the auction will go to Blessings in a Backpack, a program run by USA Harvest to generate public awareness of child hunger. The organization will use the money to assist in providing weekend meals to needy children and ensure that their nutritional requirements are met. The auction runs until January 25.

Virgin Unite has put several items up for auction, including a leather jacket designed and signed by Jon Bon Jovi, a guitar autographed by Jewel, and a cymbal signed by members of the Beastie Boys.

Virgin Unite is the non-profit entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group, established by Richard Branson as a catalyst for business based solutions to social and environmental problems. The auction ends on January 3.

Artists for a New South Africa is a non-profit organization founded in 1979 to advance human rights in Africa, and now encompasses a whole raft of issues, including the fight against AIDS, assisting children orphaned by AIDS, and educating and empowering youth. They are offering some incredible items for auction until January 18, including original Star Wars comics signed by Samuel L. Jackson, a signed photo of ex-X Files star Gillian Anderson, and signed CDs from Mandy Moore.

And finally, the Friends and Helpers Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists victims of domestic violence, is auctioning items such as a Red Hot Chili Peppers poster signed by bass player Flea, a signed photo of Donald Trump, a flag autographed by Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan, and a guitar signed by LeAnn Rimes.

2008 looks set to be the year of celebrity giving.

Stars Support World AIDS Day

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:32:14 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It was a powerful moment when former South African President Nelson Mandela made his way to the stage with the aid of a walking stick to address tens of thousands of people in Johannesburg on December 1, World Aids Day.

“Break the cycle,” said the 89-year-old leader. “The answer is in our hands.”

Mandela was speaking at the 10-hour charity concert held at Ellis Park Stadium in the South African city to raise awareness of the country’s HIV/AIDS problem. Over 30 local and international artists joined the line-up, with proceeds going to Mandela’s 46664 AIDS program.

“It is alarming that, for every person who receives treatment, there are four others who are newly infected,” said Mandela, who appeared pleased with the concert’s attendance. “Here in South Africa we are making every effort to reach into communities because we believe the answer is in our hands. If we have to stop the AIDS epidemic from expanding, we have to break the cycle of new HIV infections. Big ambitious plans are needed to deal with the epidemic. But what really matters are small acts of kindness… such as protecting yourself.”

British based band Razorlight kicked off the international line-up, and was followed by Peter Gabriel, who included a song about anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko in his set. The singer said that the same power and intensity used to fight apartheid should be shown in the fight against HIV-Aids.

Other acts to perform included Live, Johnny Clegg, Ludacris, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Jamelia. British soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae performed one of her most stunning live sets ever, and performances were interspersed with video clips that highlighted AIDS projects.

“AIDS is a human rights issue,” said singer Annie Lennox, who also performed at the concert. “It should be treated as such to avoid this genocide that is affecting millions and millions of people around the world.”

British supermodel Naomi Campbell also made a surprise appearance, and urged the crowd to do all that they can to stop the disease.

“I know it is a fearful thing,” said the 37-year-old. “Basically we cannot stress too much how important it is to protect yourself from this virus.”

Also marking World AIDS Day on December 1 was British rock group Queen. The band released their first new recording in over a decade on Saturday, available for free download on their website – www.queenonline.com.

The song, “Say It Isn’t True”, features the band’s new lead singer, Paul Rodgers, who joins the original line-up of Brian May and Rodger Taylor. Freddie Mercury, the original lead singer, died of an AIDS related illness in 1991.

“By making the song available for free, we hope to help Nelson Mandela with his campaign to get across the message that no one is safe from infection,” said Taylor. “It’s a difficult subject, and [the song] is written in the first person… it’s about receiving the letter and finding out you’re HIV positive, and the sort of terrible shock and emotion and effect it has on your life.”

Queen may also perform at the next Nelson Mandela charity concert, to be held in London on June 27, 2008.

Corinne Bailey Rae - A Rising Star

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:25:31 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

If one word can be used to describe the rise to fame of English R&B singer Corinne Bailey Rae, it would be “meteoric”. In the space of two short years, from the release of her debut EP “Like A Star” in October 2005, to three Grammy Award nominations for her eponymous first album in 2007, the 28-year-old soul singer has made a lasting effect on people all over the world. And it’s not just fans who are benefiting from the star’s talents. Bailey Rae has quickly proven herself to be one of the most philanthropic and human-minded artists in the industry today.

Born in the English city of Leeds to a West Indian father and a Yorkshire mother, Bailey Rae found her love of music early.

“I started off singing in church,” said the singer, whose voice drips with shades of Billie Holiday. “People always think it must have been a gospel church… but it wasn’t gospel at all. It was just your regular brethren church, very middle class, where we would sing these harmonies every Sunday. It was always my favorite part of the service, the singing.”

A classically trained violinist and English Literature graduate, the singer was passionate about music from a young age, and although she would later become famous for her soulful R&B style, her early forays into music were not what you would expect – her first influence was Led Zeppelin.

“I loved that band during my teens,” she laughed when remembering her early influences. “I wanted, somehow, to follow in their footsteps, and to create music of my own.”

Her involvement with a short-lived but popular Indie band, Helen, led the young artist to develop her songwriting skills and move into the genre of soul, a style it seems she was born to sing.

“I am a huge fan of jazz, but not the muso kind,” she said. “I hate all the noodling, which is why I love classic songs – they are so pure and succinct. That’s what I tried to do with my own songs. They are short and sweet, to the point. I like the idea of leaving people wanting more, not less.”

Her first album, “Corinne Bailey Rae”, was released in February 2006, and features the hit singles “Like A Star” and “Put Your Records On”. It went triple platinum in Britain, and created history by entering the Billboard chart at number 17 – the highest ever chart debut for a UK artist in the US.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” said Bailey Rae, describing the album. “It’s chilled out, acoustic, kooky, atmospheric, and soulful.”

But with all of the awards and accolades, Corinne Bailey Rae has managed to keep both feet on the ground, and her name has already become synonymous with good causes and charitable enterprises. Earlier in 2007 she had a song included on Amnesty International’s “Instant Karma” CD, and in June she played at the Live Earth concert at Wembley Stadium. In September, the singer played a stunning and heartfelt set at the Peace One Day concert held at the Royal Albert Hall.

On November 20, Bailey Rae headlined the third Together For Peace Festival in Leeds, and played to a packed house at The Wardrobe. The thrilling set, which was performed acoustically and included some new songs from her forthcoming second album, was both delicate and vibrant, and highlighted the many vocal talents of the young singer. The concert raised funds and awareness for a variety of organizations that deal with vulnerable women, especially those who suffer from domestic violence and sex trafficking. Charities that benefited from the event included Together For Peace, The Truth Isn’t Sexy, Joanna, Leeds Women’s Aid, Sahara, and the STOP Project. During the evening, stories of women who had been helped to escape life-threatening violence were told, which brought to life the concert’s meaning.

Bailey Rae’s involvement with benefit concerts looks set to continue, and the singer has agreed to perform at Nelson Mandela’s AIDS Day concert in Johannesburg on December 1. The concert will support Mandela’s charity 46664 in its campaign against the HIV virus in Africa, and Bailey Rae will join other performers such as Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, the Goo Goo Dolls, Ludacris, Razorlight, and Jamelia at the event.

“I’m very honored to be invited to perform at the 46664 concert,” she said. “Nelson Mandela is someone who I have admired since I was a child. His application of forgiveness and justice is an example to the world, and I hope the concert will go a long way to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.”

Bailey Rae’s interests in the plight of those in need has also led her to become an ambassador for CORD – the UK’s leading Christian charity working exclusively with refugees and people affected by conflict around the world.

“I am delighted to be involved in promoting CORD’s peace building role to a global audience,” said the singer. “People need to be made aware of the vital job that CORD is doing with those who have had to flee from war and violence, often losing everything – their families, their homes, and their belongings. Many are young people, a large number are orphans, and CORD helps them get back on their feet, to build a new life, which is why I want to lend them my support in any way I can.”

And with Christmas just round the corner, Corinne Bailey Rae is now helping to fight poverty and global hunger with a new website being launched in time for the holiday season.

www.generouspour.com is a partnership between Clos du Bois Wines and Share Our Strength, a non-profit organization that has raised over $200 million in the past to combat poverty. The website offers consumers the chance to host holiday parties to help the hungry, and also offers a free and exclusive music download from Corinne Bailey Rae.

Visitors to the sight can download party invitations, menu templates, recipe cards prepared by some of America’s best chefs, music playlists, and tips for entertaining – basically everything a “host with the most” needs to put on a party. The Party Pack also contains Share Our Strength donation cards, which can be printed out and mailed in with money collected from party guests.

A remixed version of Corinne Bailey Rae’s song, “Like A Star”, is also available, and for every download of the song, Clos du Bois Wines will give $1 to Share Our Strength.

“Clos du Bois Wines have long been a part of holiday traditions for many families,” said winemaker Erik Olsen. “This holiday season, we are asking consumers to take five for hunger – if you have five minutes, download the song. If you have five hours, host a Generous Pour party. And if you have five days, spread the word by getting your friends to host their own generous gatherings.”

If “meteoric” is the word that best sums up Corinne Bailey Rae’s rise to fame, then her comment about her involvement with Amnesty International is the best way to sum up her outlook on life:

“The reason I am a member of Amnesty is because it acts as a conscience for the world. It campaigns and screams and weeps and protests against injustice; it shames unjust governments, sets prisoners free, and promotes true freedom.”

And with a voice and talent to match her passionate and generous soul, the world is a much brighter place.

Lining Up for Mandela’s 46664

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:11:57 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

December 1, “World AIDS Day”, marks Nelson Mandela’s next 46664 AIDS charity concert, this time in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Once the announcement for the concert was made last month, calls from performers began streaming in. Corinne Bailey Rae, Peter Gabriel, Goo Goo Dolls, Jamelia, Annie Lennox, Ludacris and Razorlight immediately booked their appearances, to be held in Ellis Park before an expected audience of 50,000. South African artists like Arno Carstens, Johnny Clegg, Just Jinjer and the Soweto Gospel Choir, and newer groups like The Parlotones and Cassette, and the R&B female trio Jamali, are part of over forty acts who have pledged their support.

This is the fifth 46664 concert since 2003, which seeks to raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness programs in South Africa. Previous performances were also held in Norway and Spain. Founded in 2002, 46664 (Mandela’s prison number during his 27 years on Robben Island, South Africa) is “an African response to the global HIV AIDS epidemic that invites the whole world to take the fight in hand.”

A human rights fighter, liberation leader and former head of state, Mandela uses 46664 to tell the world that all humans are equal, and that no one should be reduced to a number. He seeks to bring this message to the youth through the power of music, sport and celebrity.

Says JOZI, one of the performing artists, “It is always an honour playing for a cause that helps heal the continent.”

London and Austin host GuitarTown for charity

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:12:01 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Paul McCartney is among a group of celebrities who have donated giant guitars to exhibitions in both America and England, to be auctioned off over the next few months.

The exhibitions are part of the Gibson GuitarTown Galas And Auctions being held in London and Austin, and feature both 10-foot-high and regular-sized guitars designed and signed by artists and musicians. The sculptures have been on show in the cities for 10 weeks, and will soon be removed in preparation for the auctions, which will benefit a variety of local charities.

“I just fancied playing a big guitar!” joked Sir Paul, who signed a sculpture designed by cartoonist Rosie Brooks entitled And The Crowd Goes Wild. “I think this one will hopefully catch the imagination of the public and whoever is going to buy it at the auction, and raise money for The Prince’s Trust, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy – which are all great charities.”

GuitarTown London is an initiative of The Gibson Foundation, a division of Gibson Guitars that is dedicated to improving the quality of life through the support of arts, education, health and welfare, and environmental causes. It follows a similar event held in Nashville in 2005, which raised over $400,000 for local charities, and is coupled with an event currently being held in Austin, Texas. GuitarTown Austin features 65 giant sculptures and showcase guitars, which are currently on display in various locations around the city.

Celebrities such as Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid, Lance Armstrong, and Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines have all contributed their signatures to the artworks, to be auctioned at a special event at the Austin Grand Atrium on October 17. Bidders will have the chance to attend the Gala evening or bid online, with all proceeds going to the Health Alliance For Austin Musicians, the Austin Museum For Art, American Youthworks, and the Austin Children’s Museum.

“This public arts project showcases the enormous talent of both Austin’s visual and musical artists in the community,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitars. “I hope Austin GuitarTown strikes a chord in people’s souls.”

The London GuitarTown Gala and Auction will be held on November 8, in the Indigo Room at the O2 Dome, and the sculptures are currently on display at More London in South Bank. Other artists to have contributed to the 61 items include Rod Stewart, Katie Melua, Corinne Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall, the Kaiser Chiefs, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, James Blunt, Cliff Richard, Mark Knopfler, and Roger Waters.

“It seems the electric guitar is here to stay,” said Brian May, guitarist for Queen, who has two works included in the auction. “Gibson GuitarTown London looks set to become a glorious testament to this fact, and will be raising money and awareness for three great charities. I’m proud to endorse its imminent success.”

More information on the exhibitions and auctions can be found at www.londonguitartown.com.

Stars Rock the Oxfam Shop

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:52:03 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A specially-converted Oxfam shop in London is to be the venue for a series of concerts in October, as part of the second annual Oxjam Music Festival.

Performers Jamelia, Fatboy Slim, and The Kooks will jam for Oxfam during the first week of the month, the exact location of the gigs being a secret until the night. The shop that hosts the event will also sell a wide range of unique music memorabilia, including items donated by Elton John, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Goldfrapp. Special badges designed by Jarvis Cocker, the Chemical Brothers, and the Kaiser Chiefs will also be available.

“I have always donated my unwanted records to my local Oxfam shop,” said British Big Beat musician, Fatboy Slim. “But performing in one will be a first for me, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

The first of the concerts takes place on October 1, when The Kooks take to the stage to play an acoustic set, followed later in the evening by former Pulp frontman, Jarvis Cocker. October 2 will see Jamelia perform her hit singles See It In A Boy’s Eye and Superstar, followed by beatbox musician, Killa Kela. Electronic pop group Hot Chip and DJ Bobby Friction will hit the stage on October 3, with Fatboy Slim and Emmanuel Jal playing the final concert on October 4.

The concerts are just some of the events in this year’s Oxjam Music Festival, an exciting month long fundraising extravaganza. Over 3000 events all over Britain are being held as part of it, with all proceeds going to Oxfam. Concerts featuring every type of musical genre imaginable are being staged, encompassing rock, classical, dance, pop, R&B, rap, techno, and more. Some of the more bazaar events this year include a 12 hour “buskathon”, featuring buskers in 12 British cities, and a “guitar relay”, in which a guitar will be taken from one end of the British mainland to the other, and being played at a different Oxjam concert each day on the way.

“Oxjam is all about thousands of small events adding up to something much bigger,” said The Kooks singer, Luke Pritchard. “So it’s great to join in by playing a small acoustic show. Even better, music fans can get involved by coming along to this show or going to a local Oxjam night.”

Last year’s festival attracted over 20,000 people to 1,100 events, and raised over $1 million. This year’s target is over $2 million, with the money going to fund clean drinking water, shelter, and medicine to over a million people worldwide.

More information on Oxjam, and the opportunity to win tickets to some of the events, can be found at www.oxfam.org/oxjam and www.myspace.com/oxjam.

Jude Law to Make Film in Afghanistan For World Peace Day

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 09:37:25 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British actor Jude Law is to film a new documentary for the BBC in Afghanistan, as part of the lead up to World Peace Day on September 21.

The 35 year old star of “Cold Mountain” and “The Road To Perdition” will join documentary maker and humanitarian Jeremy Gilley in a film about the effects of war on Afghan children, and the efforts of UNICEF to provide aid. The pair will also record the preparations made by UNICEF in the war-torn country to celebrate this year’s World Peace Day.

“This is a historic project, rooted in film,” said Law. “I’m immensely proud to be a part of it.”

World Peace Day has been held annually since 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted September 21 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The initiative came from an idea by Jeremy Gilley, who founded his non-profit organization, Peace One Day, in 1999. Since then he has amassed an impressive list of supporters, including Chris Martin, Sir Richard Branson, Angelina Jolie, Alan Rickman, and Michael Douglas.

As well as the documentary, Gilley is also organizing a charity concert event at the Royal Albert Hall on World Peace Day 2007. Annie Lennox will join James Morrison, Beth Orton, and Corinne Bailey Rae for a night of music and performances benefiting Peace One Day. The show will also contain video messages from Jude Law and David Beckham.

“This process is about creating an annual moment of global unity,” said Law, regarding the work of Peace One Day and the upcoming concert. “It can only work if we all become involved, and it’s essential that we do”.

Concert tickets can be purchased online at www.peaceoneday.org.

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