N.O. Jazz, Gospel Singer Linda Lacen Dies At 40
Submitted By N.O.V.A.
Times Picayune 	03-21-1997


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Linda Young Lacen, a jazz and gospel vocalist best known for her work with her
husband Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen's brass band, died March 11 of cancer in West
Palm Beach, Fla. She was 40.

Mrs. Lacen, known professionally as "Lady Linda" Young, was born in Galax, Va.,
and lived in New Orleans for the past eight years. She attended Galax High School
and the University of Miami.

She met her future husband when he and his brass band, the Chosen Few, were
performing in the French Quarter. She asked if she could sing with the band. At
first, he refused.

"He was thinking, 'Oh no, here's another tourist who wants to sing,' " said a
friend of the couple, Richard Rochester, owner of the Funky Butt jazz club. "But
he finally let her sing. He was knocked out by her, they fell in love and the rest
is history."

Lady Linda and the Chosen Few performed at local clubs, including Preservation
Hall and Donna's, and toured internationally. But they probably reached their
largest audience on the streets of the French Quarter, performing traditional jazz
at a regular spot in front of the Cabildo.

She received a number of professional awards, was a cast member of the Broadway
show "Your Arms Too Short to Box With God" and was an understudy to Patti LaBelle
and Nell Carter.

In April 1996, she and her husband recorded a gospel and traditional New Orleans
jazz CD, "All I Ask Is Love," in Switzerland with clarinetist Walter Weber & His
International New Orleans Jazzband.

Mrs. Lacen was diagnosed with cancer last summer shortly after she and her husband
arrived in Europe for an extended tour. To help defray her medical costs,
Margaritaville and the Funky Butt held benefits last fall; scores of local
musicians participated in each event.

Rochester said Lady Linda felt well enough to attend the benefit at his club. "I'm
looking at a picture right now of her sitting on Tuba's lap that night," he said.
"She sang while he played. It was the highlight of the night."

Besides her husband, survivors include a son, Daniel Moore; a daughter, Jelema
Moore; her mother, Naomi L. Hampton; a brother, Cornelius Young; and three
sisters, Trula Vereen and Mary and Cora Boyson.

A wake will be held today from 8 to 11 p.m. at Charbonnet-Labat Funeral Home, 1615
St. Philip St. Dismissal and a jazz funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at
the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.