Chaka Khan, the “Queen of Funk”, and Grammy-winning jazz vocal group The Manhattan Transfer will star at the 2019 Bermuda Festival.

Festival executive director T.J. Armand said Chaka Khan, whose well-known hits include I’m Every Woman, was the perfect performer to highlight the festival’s theme of Empowerment of Women.

During a career which began in the 1970s, her other songs include Ain’t Nobody, I Feel For You and Through the Fire.

Mr Armand said: “Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians with a rich musical legacy.

“The ten-times Grammy Award winner is a songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist.

“She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical.”

Chaka Khan previously appeared at the Jazzscape concert in Dockyard in 1997.

The Manhattan Transfer also boast a long history of critical and commercial success in their more than 40 years in the music industry, including 12 Grammy Awards.

Their top hits include Chanson D’amour, Walk in Love and Spice of Life.

Mr Armand said: “As one of the most important and innovative vocal groups in the history of popular music, The Manhattan Transfer accrued worldwide sales in the millions, Grammy Awards by the dozen, and are veterans of sold-out world tours.”

He added that other local and international acts will also take the stage for the festival, which will run from January 19 to March 9.

Performance dates and venues will be announced next month.