By Jim Fusilli
- Photo credit: Ryan Morey
- Lhasa de Sela, RIP.
Lhasa de Sela, the singer whose warm, lilting music embraced a variety of folk traditions, died January 1 after a lengthy bout with breast cancer. She was 37 years old and lived in Montreal.
Lhasa, as she was known professionally, was born in Big Indian, New York, and traveled widely with her parents and sisters throughout Mexico, where her father was born, and the U.S., according to her publicist Blake Zidell. Her nomadic childhood infused her music with an appreciation for Mexican and gypsy folk melodies, as demonstrated by her three albums, “La Llorana,” released in 1997; 2003’s “The Living Road”; and “Lhasa,” which was issued last year.
Her illness forced the cancellation of a lengthy international tour in support of “Lhasa.” Two of her songs appeared on the soundtrack to the 2009 film “Cold Souls,” written and directed by Sophie Barthes.
Between the release of her first and second albums, Lhasa and three of her sisters worked in a circus and theater troupe in France. In 2005, she was named Best Artist of the Americas by the BBC. Earlier, she received a Juno Award in Canada as Best Global Artist.
Lhasa is survived by her partner Ryan, her parents and stepmother, and nine siblings. Funeral services will be private.
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