Ten-time GRAMMY^® Award-winner Chaka Khan joined David Foster and Friends at the Kennedy Center Spring Gala in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 6, to raise money for arts education. Foster’s other “friends” included singers Jewel and Peter Cincotti, along with trumpeter Chris Botti, violinist Caroline Campbell, soprano Angel Blue and a multicultural group of new and developing artists. Chaka performed “Through the Fire,” “I’m Every Woman,” and the newly penned “The Promise That We Make,” which she performed for the finale with all performers and 40 wives of military servicemen.

Make sure to watch:

The evening before, Chaka electrified a sold-out crowd at the historic Howard Theatre. Performing for an audience of loyal and devoted fans, she sang her signature classic hits, including “I Feel For You,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Sweet Thing,” “Everlasting Love,” “Ain’t Nobody” and more. The Washington Post headline for its rave review read, “Chaka takes the crowd through the fire.” Chaka shared her testimony with the audience about her days of alcohol and drug abuse and the desperate and urgent pleas from her daughter and mother that put her on the road to recovery. During an interview at the Howard Theatre, TV and radio personality Tavis Smiley shared with DeNeen Brown of the Washington Post, “I’ve seen her so many times, but I’ve never seen her go to church. Tonight’s concert was a spiritual experience.” April Ellington, daughter of Duke Ellington added, “Chaka is in absolutely fine voice. She looks better than ever.”

Chaka recently appeared at the first annual International Jazz Day event at the United Nations in the General Assembly Hall in New York City. Khan shared the stage with some of the greatest jazz legends in music history. She performed Ella Fitzgerald’s classic, “Them There Eyes.” The inaugural event was led by Herbie Hancock, UNESCO’s, (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization), Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, and the Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. April 30, was declared International Jazz Day. The program began with a message from the United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon, followed by an appearance by Dr. Susan Rice, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, and a message from Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova. The event’s hosts were Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Quincy Jones, Thelonious Monk, Jr. and George Duke. The performances were led by Musical Director George Duke and included Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Hugh Masekela, Esperanza Spalding, Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Angelique Kidjo, Sheila E. and a long list of some of the best international jazz musicians in the world.

Free of alcohol and drug use for eight years now, Chaka, in recent years, also struggled with her weight and was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. Determined to get healthy, she committed to diet and lifestyle changes. She has lost over 60 pounds and is now free of both high blood pressure and diabetes.

Love this woman she is a timeless beauty....

Go Chaks!

Wow she looks GREAT!

I hope this new look will bring new interest to her career. Why can't she be a spokesperson for a weight loss program... since she has struggled with her weight for so long.

You go, Chaka! She's lost even more weight since I saw her around a year ago, and she looked good then.

I have new respect for Chaka after she spoke out about Whitney on Pier Morgan's show a few months ago. She spoke the truth & have successfully beat a bad narcotic addiction herself. She is a Queen & another women christened by Prince who resurrected her career...

Prince shows off his BET Award (presented to him by Chak

she doesn't have enough body left to hold up that massive noggin.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I have new respect for Chaka after she spoke out about Whitney on Pier Morgan's show a few months ago. She spoke the truth & have successfully beat a bad narcotic addiction herself. She is a Queen & another women christened by Prince who resurrected her career...

Uh, I loved Chaka's music and followed her career years before I ever heard of Prince. They may have collaborated together but Prince is not responsible for the success of her career.

Shes so beautiful, go Chaka!

purplethunder3121 said:

Uh, I loved Chaka's music and followed her career years before I ever heard of Prince. They may have collaborated together but Prince is not responsible for the success of her career.

But yeah for real Chaka was a legend by '84. Anyway, damn she look like she did in the '70s, just older...

Cougar alert!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Cougar alert!

MAN!! AWW!!!

She looks smokingggggggggggggggggg!!!

COUGAR ALERT FOR SURE!

I love her figure! Go Head Chaka KHAN!!!

Timmy84 said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Cougar alert!

Get Chaka, I dont care what yall say

mjscarousal said:

Get Chaka, I dont care what yall say

She's got more game than I do these days!

purplethunder3121 said:

Uh, I loved Chaka's music and followed her career years before I ever heard of Prince. They may have collaborated together but Prince is not responsible for the success of her career.

I'm not sure KCOOLMUZIQ meant that Prince was responsible for Chaka's career. Any of us old enough to know Rufus back in the day know that Chaka had it going on, but you must admit that her career had kind of gone to seed before she started recording/collaborating with Prince. Working with him certainly didn't do her any harm. I'm a HUGE Chaka fan and am very happy to see her looking fabulous and sounding as amazing as ever! It appears her career is back on track and we can probably look for some new music from her soon. Prince has only shown great respect for Chaka.

NewPowerSista said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Uh, I loved Chaka's music and followed her career years before I ever heard of Prince. They may have collaborated together but Prince is not responsible for the success of her career.

I'm not sure KCOOLMUZIQ meant that Prince was responsible for Chaka's career. Any of us old enough to know Rufus back in the day know that Chaka had it going on, but you must admit that her career had kind of gone to seed before she started recording/collaborating with Prince. Working with him certainly didn't do her any harm. I'm a HUGE Chaka fan and am very happy to see her looking fabulous and sounding as amazing as ever! It appears her career is back on track and we can probably look for some new music from her soon. Prince has only shown great respect for Chaka.

Maybe between 1993-1998 but The Woman I Am is a classic.

NewPowerSista said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Uh, I loved Chaka's music and followed her career years before I ever heard of Prince. They may have collaborated together but Prince is not responsible for the success of her career.

I'm not sure KCOOLMUZIQ meant that Prince was responsible for Chaka's career. Any of us old enough to know Rufus back in the day know that Chaka had it going on, but you must admit that her career had kind of gone to seed before she started recording/collaborating with Prince. Working with him certainly didn't do her any harm. I'm a HUGE Chaka fan and am very happy to see her looking fabulous and sounding as amazing as ever! It appears her career is back on track and we can probably look for some new music from her soon. Prince has only shown great respect for Chaka.

I sure hope she comes out with a new album soon--that would make my day and make me

purplethunder3121 said:

NewPowerSista said:

I'm not sure KCOOLMUZIQ meant that Prince was responsible for Chaka's career. Any of us old enough to know Rufus back in the day know that Chaka had it going on, but you must admit that her career had kind of gone to seed before she started recording/collaborating with Prince. Working with him certainly didn't do her any harm. I'm a HUGE Chaka fan and am very happy to see her looking fabulous and sounding as amazing as ever! It appears her career is back on track and we can probably look for some new music from her soon. Prince has only shown great respect for Chaka.

I sure hope she comes out with a new album soon--that would make my day and make me

I loved Funk This so I'm anxious for her next record...

Timmy84 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

I sure hope she comes out with a new album soon--that would make my day and make me

I loved Funk This so I'm anxious for her next record...

I'm kinda anxious for WHATEVER she does next, too!!

purplethunder3121 said:

Timmy84 said:

http://www.prweb.com/rele...988499.htm

That looks like a very nice shoe size.

yanowha said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I have new respect for Chaka after she spoke out about Whitney on Pier Morgan's show a few months ago. She spoke the truth & have successfully beat a bad narcotic addiction herself. She is a Queen & another women christened by Prince who resurrected her career...

WOW.

NewPowerSista said:

Timmy84 said:

I loved Funk This so I'm anxious for her next record...

I'm kinda anxious for WHATEVER she does next, too!!

She was in the running for one of the judge spots on The X-Factor but now I'm hearing it's been given to Britney Spears, which doesn't surprise me.

NewPowerSista said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Uh, I loved Chaka's music and followed her career years before I ever heard of Prince. They may have collaborated together but Prince is not responsible for the success of her career.

I'm not sure KCOOLMUZIQ meant that Prince was responsible for Chaka's career. Any of us old enough to know Rufus back in the day know that Chaka had it going on, but you must admit that her career had kind of gone to seed before she started recording/collaborating with Prince. Working with him certainly didn't do her any harm. I'm a HUGE Chaka fan and am very happy to see her looking fabulous and sounding as amazing as ever! It appears her career is back on track and we can probably look for some new music from her soon. Prince has only shown great respect for Chaka.

I think the point the person may have been trying to make is Chaka's career skyrocketed when she recorded "I Feel For You". Prior to that, she was still doing well on the R&B side, but, on the Pop side, she was experiencing very little success as a solo artist. If it wasn't for "I Feel For You", I do believe her career would have pretty much faded. The label had already warned her if she didn't deliever a Pop hit, she was gone. I know a lot of people hate "I Feel For You" but I'm grateful for it. It saved her career and turned her into an international superstar.

She looks beautiful-I knew that young man was gonna start something