Black history is “a part of who I will always be,” says Lorraine Klaasen

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His backup band went to Frontenac St. to rehearse. Studio Base hasn't arrived at Bin Chambers yet, so Lorraine Claasen decides to pre-amp her vocal cords with an a cappella rendition of George Gershwin's classic Summertime.

And, otherwise, we know that we can endure a gloomy winter day.

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KIaasen can cast such spells with a voice that lights up every room he plays in. He's in prep mode for his first Montreal concert in five years, Saturday at Theater Fairmount.

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Claasen is one of five singers in Les Productions Nuits d'Afrique's Women of the World Raise Their Voices series for Black History Month. Cameroonian slam poet Lidol performed at Club Balattou on February 1. After Klaassen's performance, Berlin-based collective Roots Daughters will perform at Le Ministère Theater on February 17. Then it's Brazil's Bia on February 22 at Club Balattou and the closing concert of the series, Gambian kora player and singer Sona Jobarte, on March 8 at Le National Theater.

Klaasen is undoubtedly one of the most popular belts out there. He can do it all: blues, jazz, R&B, Broadway, pop. But a genre close to his heart is urban music. Understandably, Klaasen was born and raised in Soweto, South Africa. His biggest influence was his mother, the famous Thandi Klaasen, Nelson Mandela's favorite singer. In addition to celebrating Lorraine Klaasen's 40 years in the music business, it's no surprise that Saturday's concert will also honor Tandy, who passed away in 2017.

Although her formative years were spent in South Africa, Lorraine Claasen moved to Montreal in 1978. Marriage brought her to London, Ont., seven years ago.

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“When I come to Montreal, it's like a big resurrection,” says a beaming Klaasen during a short rehearsal break.

“Many call my name 'La Reine' and they really treat me like a queen.” I will take it Not to leave London, which I knew nothing about before, but Montreal is where I live. With the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Nuits d'Afrique and many other events, this is where the singer wants to be. There is a lot of talent here.”

Klaasen speaks and can sing in 18 languages, but limits herself to only five languages ​​on stage at Theater Fairmount: Xhosa, Zulu and Swahili in addition to English and French.

“Maybe the audience here doesn't understand what I'm saying when I'm singing in Xhosa or Zulu, but they're still friendly,” he says.

“Can you imagine me getting to 67?” Klaasen knows that only he can do it. “When I was growing up in Soweto, I would tell everyone that I wanted to be like my mother. I wanted to sing, dance and travel the world like my mother. I would see how he made people happy, how happy he was. I am very happy to have chosen this profession which has given me this wonderful life in all corners of the world.

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“So I'm fulfilling a promise I made to myself when I was a little girl,” adds Klaasen, who won a Juno Award in 2013 for her album Tribute to Miriam Makeba.

One of Klaasen's memorable concerts took place 10 years ago. The mother and daughter, who call themselves Our Classic Klaasen Ladies, have joined the stage for several nights at the DB Clark Theater in Concordia. At 83, Thandi still hits every note.

“My mother would tell me now, as before, to continue my art, but she would not tell me jazz, because there are many good jazz singers. Also, don't do the blues for the same reasons. Instead, sing and speak your African truth because it is unique and original.

“But my mother's umbilical cord was cut so I could do my own thing,” says Klaasen, who, like her mother, sang at Mandela's funeral. “I think I'm a mixed masala now – a delicious mix of everything.”

And it worked well.

Klaasen explains his vision for Black History Month.

“It's not something I wear every year for a month. It's a year-round lifestyle. It's dark history every day. People make a big deal about it in a month, and that's fine. But it will always be a part of me and it will always be,” says Klaasen, who just learned she has been named to the 2024 100ABCWomen Honorable Mention of 100 Black Canadian Women.

Klaasen has a message for up-and-coming music talent: “Despite what some may think, your appearance is not important to being in this business. This is an expression of immense respect and appreciation for your art. Never take anything for granted. You have to find everything. There are no shortcuts.”

AT A GLANCE

Lorraine Claasen Saturday, February 10th at 8:30pm at Theater Fairmount, 5240 Parc Ave. For more information on her concert and the concerts of Roots Daughters, Bia and Sona Jobarteh, visit festivalnuitsdafrique.com.

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