New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Halie Loren Official Website) Halie Loren, internationally known and award-winning jazz/pop singer/songwriter, recently organized and performed a sold-out benefit concert to raise funds to help the Japanese recover from the recent earthquakes and tsunami that occurred there. The concert was held at the Jazz Station in Loren's hometown of Eugene, Oregon, with all performers and volunteers donating their time and services. Commemorative T-shirts designed by Japanese artist Momi Smith and Japanese-themed food provided by Eiko Treder also contributed to the evening's emphasis on Japan. All proceeds from the evening went directly to Mercy Corps, which is providing supplies and support to Japan's tsunami-devastated cities, especially to the tens of thousands of Japanese families and children still living in temporary shelters. "We felt the need to organize this benefit concert to keep those who have been affected by the disaster in people's hearts and minds," said Loren. "We want the people of Japan whose lives were so drastically affected by this tragedy to know that we care and that we are keeping them in our thoughts in hopes that this in some way will help lift their spirits. We chose to donate the funds to Mercy Corps to help provide for various needs of survivors of the disaster, especially families and children." Loren, who has traveled to Japan three times in the last nine months to perform, dedicated her haunting original song, "In Time," to the people of Japan. The song has been charting in Japan and Germany, with proceeds from sales of it donated to the Japanese Red Cross. The evening featured songs from all of her jazz CDs, backed by the core musicians who played on them - pianist and bandleader Matt Treder, bassist Mark Schneider, and percussionist Brian West. They were joined by special guest guitarist Bill Marsh. Loren will be spending the summer crossing the globe with concerts in Seoul and Sicily as well as performances around the United States. She hopes to be back in Japan this fall. More about Halie Loren's music can be found by visiting halieloren.com. To learn more about Mercy Corps and the help they are providing in the aftermath of the Japan disaster, please visit www.mercycorps.org/japanearthquake.
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