Batuki Music Presents Lorraine Klaasen's Tribute to Miriam Makeba February 23, 2013 in Toronto

From a media release:

Batuki Music Presents
Lorraine Klaasen's Tribute to Miriam Makeba
February 23, 2013 in Toronto


She'll also be in Hamilton on February 22

TORONTO -
Batuki Music Society celebrates Black History Month with a “Tribute to Miriam Makeba” featuring Lorraine Klaasen at Ada Slaight Hall, Daniels Spectrum located at 585 Dundas St. E. Toronto on Saturday February 23, 2013.

Lorraine Klaasen, performer extraordinaire, is the daughter of legendary South African Jazz singer Tandi Klaasen, one of Nelson Mandela’s favorite singers and an indisputable South African legend. Lorraine is one of the few South African artists who have preserved the classic sound of Township music, which continues to be the most distinctive sound to come out of South Africa.

Born and raised in Soweto, South Africa, Lorraine Klaasen was influenced by South Africa’s musical giants of the 1950’s and 1960’s, such as Miriam Makeba, Dolly Rathebe, Dorothy Masuka, Sophie Mgcina and Busi Mhlongo who frequented her mother’s home. Lorraine’s musical career started at an early age in the 1970’s when she would accompany her mother to live performances all over Southern Africa including the neighboring states of Mozambique and Swaziland. It wasn’t long after that she branched out on her own and got into musical theater, which took her across Europe and eventually ended up in Montreal, Canada where she has been living for over two decades. A singer, songwriter, dancer and choreographer, Lorraine Klaasen sings in several languages including Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, Lingala, English, and French.

Lorraine Klaasen has embraced the rich musical cultures of Quebec, Africa, Haiti and the Caribbean whose musicians she has collaborated with on her successful tours of Europe, North America and the Caribbean. In the late 1980’s and throughout the 1990’s, Lorraine recorded several albums which included the popular songs titled “Bayasilandela” and "Kudala ndikulindile”.  In February 2008, Lorraine released the album Africa Calling on the Justin Time label working with South African record producer Mongezi Chris Ntaka, and featuring bassist Bakhiti Khumalo (who performed on Paul Simon's landmark album, Graceland).

Her latest CD, released in September 2012, A Tribute To Miriam Makeba is a fitting acknowledgment to the legendary songstress, who remains the most important female vocalist to emerge out of South Africa. Hailed as the Empress of African Song and Mama Africa, she helped bring African music to a global audience in the '60s. In a fitting homage, Lorraine Klaasen and her band do Auntie Miriam justice with energetic and heartfelt renditions of South African classic and traditional folk songs, including those that Miriam Makeba brought to the masses like Pata Pata, The Click Song and Jolinkomo, as well as Lorraine's own compositions inspired by the lady herself.

Lorraine Klaasen will be performing with the musicians featured on her latest CD, A Tribute to Miriam Makeba: guitarist Assane Seck, bassist Sebastian Andrew Whiteman and percussionist Moise Yawo Matey.

“Tribute to Miriam Makeba” featuring Lorraine Klaasen
Saturday February 23, 2013
Ada Slaight Hall, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E. Toronto
Entry 8 PM / Show 9 PM
Tickets: $20 advance / $25 door

Info or advance tickets online at: www.batukimusic.com
Or available at these locations:  
Nharo 543 Danforth Ave.
Soundscapes 572 College St.
African Drum & Art Crafts 618 Dundas St. W.


Batuki Music Society gratefully acknowledges the support of Canadian Heritage.

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