Chaka Khan to replace Etta James at Newport festival

The organizers of George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55, to be held in Newport Aug. 7-9, announced Tuesday that singer Chaka Khan would perform at the opening concert on Friday, Aug. 7, at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Khan will replace Etta James, who has backed out due to illness. She was scheduled to perform at the JVC Jazz Festival-Newport in 2007, but also had to cancel.

Clarinetist Anat Cohen and guitarist Howard Alden will open the show.

Tickets for the festival are on sale now at jazzfestival55.com, by phone at (800) 514-3849 and by mail at George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55, P.O. Box 3865, Newport, RI 02840. Tickets for the Friday-night show range from $35 to $89, and tickets for the Etta James concert will be honored at the Chaka Khan performance.