The singer Lhasa de Sela passed away in her Montreal home on the night of January 1st 2010, just before midnight.
She succumbed to breast cancer after a twenty-one month long struggle, which she faced with courage and determination.
Throughout
this difficult period, she continued to touch the lives of those around
her with her characteristic grace, beauty and humor. The strength of
her will carried her once again into the recording studio, where she
completed her latest album, followed by successful record launches in
Montreal at the Théatre Corona and in Paris at the Théatre des Bouffes
du Nord. Two concerts in Iceland in May were to be her last.
She
was forced to cancel a long international tour scheduled for autumn
2009. A projected album of the songs of Victor Jara and Violeta Parra
would also remain unrealized.
Lhasa de Sela was born on September 27, 1972, in Big Indian, New York.
Lhasa's
unusual childhood was marked by long periods of nomadic wandering
through Mexico and the U.S., with her parents and sisters in the school
bus which was their home. During this period the children improvised,
both theatrically and musically, performing for their parents on a
nightly basis. Lhasa grew up in a world imbued with artistic discovery,
far from conventional culture.
Later
Lhasa became the exceptional artist that the entire world discovered in
1997 with La Llorona, followed by 2003's The Living Road, and 2009's
self-titled LHASA. These three albums have sold over a million copies
world-wide.
It is difficult to
describe her unique voice and stage presence, which earned her iconic
status in many countries throughout the world, but some Journalists have
described it as passionate, sensual, untameable, tender, profound,
troubling, enchanting, hypnotic, hushed, powerful, intense, a voice for
all time.
Lhasa had a unique way of
communicating with her public. She dared to open her heart on stage,
allowing her audience to experience an intimate connection and communion
with her. She profoundly affected and inspired many people throughout
the cities and countries she visited.
An old friend of Lhasa's, Jules Beckman, offered these words:
"We
have always heard something ancestral coming through her. She has
always spoken from the threshold between the worlds, outside of time.
She has always sung of human tragedy and triumph, estrangement and
seeking with a Witness's wisdom. She has placed her life at the feet of
the Unseen."
Lhasa leaves behind her
partner Ryan, her parents Alejandro and Alexandra, her step-mother
Marybeth, her 9 brothers and sisters (Gabriela, Samantha, Ayin, Sky,
Miriam, Alex, Ben, Mischa and Eden), her 16 nieces and nephews, her cat
Isaan, and countless friends, musicians, and colleagues who have
accompanied her throughout her career, not to mention her innumerable
admirers throughout the world.
Her
family and close friends were able to mourn peacefully during the last
two days, and greatly appreciated this meaningful period of quiet
intimacy. Funeral and services will be held privately.
It has snowed more than 40 hours in Montreal since Lhasa's departure.
in lhasadesela.com
