New York, NY (Top40 Charts / Lori Jenaire) With the release of her Top Five Billboard Hot Singles Sales charting debut, "As You Are," featuring
Patrice Rushen, a remake of the 1978 Pharoah Sander's R&B soul classic which originally featured Phyllis Hyman, songstress
Lori Jenaire is on a mission that transcends music sales and charting. The lovely diva is hoping to bring more attention to an issue that not only personally affects her, but also millions of others, autoimmune diseases.
Jenaire is pledging .25 cents from every single sold of "As You Are" to the 25th anniversary celebration of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. (AARDA) #25for25 Campaign. The AARDA #25for25 effort invites individuals and organizations around the world to recognize AARDA's achievements on behalf of people with autoimmune diseases and to support their work going forward by donating to the organization. Jenaire is hoping that her remake of "As You Are" uplifts the spirit of those battling with their own autoimmune related health struggles while encouraging awareness and compassion for global healing on a mass level.
According to AARDA, there are more than 100 known autoimmune diseases (ADs), including psoriasis, Graves' disease, Sjogren's syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, relapsing polychondritis, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and lupus. The underlying cause of all of these diseases is autoimmunity, which disproportionately affects women. Of the 50 million Americans living and coping with ADs, more than 75 percent are women. Given the genetic component, autoimmune diseases can run in families. AD is one of the top 10 leading causes of death of women under the age of 65 and is responsible for more than $100 billion in direct health care costs annually.
"I am just so empowered by AARDA and the work that they have done and continue to do with regard to autoimmune related diseases," says Jenaire, "I'm truly humbled to be able to partake in their #25for25 campaign as we raise awareness and money for the remarkable services they provide."
Lori Jenaire has long been revered in music circles for the lush nuances of her vocal stylings. Heavily influenced by several legendary divas, including
Sarah Vaughan,
Anita Baker and
Angela Bofill, the final comparisons most often parallel her to celebrated chanteuse Phyllis Hyman. A statuesque performer at 6 feet tall, Jenaire's striking Creole and Cape Verdean features even lend a resemblance to Hyman as well.
She amazingly transcends all expectations with her "As You Are" cover, propelling listeners into a space that brings the nostalgia of the '70's smack dab into the middle of 2016. "As You Are" solidifies the songbird once and for all as the successor to the Phyllis Hyman throne. The remake not only bellows vintage love and soulful power, but also masterfully echoes the deeply rich vocal subtleties of the original song.
"As You Are" is also a tremendous musical production. Renowned bassist Freddie "
Ready" Washington not only produced and arranged the track, but also gathered together a team of music greats to perform live in the studio for the recording session. The melodious masterpiece includes multi-Grammy Award winning artist
Patrice Rushen on Fender Rhodes and solo, Freddie Washington on bass and percussion,
James Gadson on drums;
Aaron Lindsey on acoustic piano, Gregory (G Moe) Moore on guitar; Eyvonne Williams on tambourine and Dorian Holly and Shannon Pearson on background vocals.
"'As You Are' holds a special significance for me now," reveals Jenaire. "Coming face to face with my own recent diagnosis has brought me to terms with so many different things. When I listen to the lyrics of "As You Are," they resonate with me so deeply. We all are in need of a quiet, safe space that is deep and internal. That is where the healing begins. 'As You Are' is that gentle reminder that we can all go there and be accepted as we are."
When
Lori Jenaire sings, angels take note, hearts open and souls are immensely satisfied. Hum along with
Lori Jenaire at www.LoriJenaire.com and make a donation to AARDA by purchasing the single at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/as-you-are-feat.-patrice-rushen/id1157194938?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 .
Take a peak inside the live studio session for "As You Are" at https://youtu.be/7Lw9kgKIXSw .
About Lori Jenaire
Early on in her career Jenaire remade The
Mamas and Papa's smash hit "
California Dreamin" and took the Jazz/R&B world by storm. An accomplished songwriter/arranger/performer, with several CD's to her credit, including "Within Reach" and "Fruition," Lori has consistently kept the memory of Phyllis Hyman alive with her CD releases. The
Chicago native has consistently placed on the R&R Jazz Indicator charts climbing from No. 26 and reaching No. 7 on the Smooth Jazz.com indie chart at one point. Her debut on the dance/club scene produced a smash remix of "You Know How to Love Me" achieving Bullet status on the Billboard Top 20 Dance Charts and achieved Grammy consideration. Timeless classics "Magic Mona" and "You're As Right as Rain," covered on her CD "Within Reach," also echoed Phyllis Hyman and were widely acclaimed by R&B/jazz purists internationally.
About American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) is the nation's only non-profit organization dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity as a category of disease and a major women's health issue, and promoting a collaborative research effort in order to find better treatments and a cure for all autoimmune diseases. For more information, please visit www.aarda.org. Follow AARDA on social media, including Facebook at www.facebook.com/Autoimmunity; Twitter @AARDATweets and YouTube at www.youtube.com/AARDATube.
