New Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele, whose soulful, jazz-influenced debut album I Am will be released June 19th, has been tapped as opening act on the upcoming North American tour with platinum Grammy nominated Atlantic Records recording artist Musiq (Soulchild). The tour begins July 6th at Afram in Baltimore, and wraps up one month later at the Fillmore in San Francisco, on August 6th.

Chrisette personally auditioned for and was signed by Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group, who told the singer he had "goose bumps" after the first time he heard her. "When Chrisette Michele enters a room," said Mr. Reid, "the room becomes a better place." I Am features production from the likes of multi-platinum, 10-time Grammy Award winner Babyface, as well as hitmakers, will.i.am, John Legend and Salaam Remi.

The distinctive jazz and soul inflections of this 24-year old native New Yorker (from Long Island) set her apart from the pack, which is apparent after listening to four of the songs from her album on the website – http://www.myspace.com/chrisettemichele – "Your Joy," "If I Have My Way," "Good Girl," and "Like a Dream."

For a visual fix of Chrisette's special talent, check out the 5-minute interview posted here. Included are on-screen performance excerpts of "If I Have My Way," "Golden," "Love Is You," "Like a Dream," "Best Of Me," "Good Girl," as well as her duets with Jay-Z (on "Lost Ones") and with Nas (on "Can't Forget About You," which samples Nat King Cole). Along the way, Chrisette shows off her jazz chops with impromptu homage to Billie Holiday ("God Bless the Child") and Ella Fitzgerald (on "Take the 'A' Train").

"I'm excited about finding my place amongst young composers like Alicia Keys and Jill Scott," says Chrisette. "My goal from the moment I was signed, was to create a seamless album that mixes soul and pop in a way that will have people coming back again and again." With the release of I Am, her dreams are becoming reality.

Musiq (Soulchild) & Chrisette Michele On Tour:
July
6 Baltimore, MD Afram
11 Chicago, IL House of Blues
12 Toronto, Ont. Phoenix theater
13 Detroit, MI Chene Park
15 Nashville, TN Ryman theater
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

Listen: If I Have My Way

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