By: Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca
On Wednesday, February 11, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre came alive as Jully Black launched her Jully Black Live Experience Tour in front of a hometown crowd that has long embraced her artistry. The tour, which runs through March 13 in Regina, began not just with powerhouse vocals but with gratitude, vulnerability, and a deep sense of purpose.
Black, widely regarded as one of Canada’s greatest vocalists and often called Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul, delivered a show that was equal parts concert and testimony. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, it was clear this was more than a performance — it was a celebration of legacy, growth, and community.
The evening opened with Philadelphia poet Raquel Ra Brown, who performed selections of her spoken word, including pieces from her album Writing While Black. Brown’s commanding presence and lyrical storytelling set a reflective tone, preparing the audience for the emotional and musical journey ahead.
Black’s set seamlessly blended original hits with carefully chosen covers that reflected her influences and range. She moved effortlessly from her own catalogue to Lauryn Hill-inspired moments, a powerful take on “Folded” by Kehlani, and a stirring rendition of “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley. Her voice, rich, textured, and unmistakably powerful, had the audience swaying in their seats and dancing in the aisles.
Midway through the show, Black shifted gears and created one of the most memorable moments of the night. Asking the audience to take out their phones, many assumed she was preparing for a sea of flashlights. Instead, she playfully instructed them to call someone and ask why they weren’t at the concert. Laughter erupted, but Black was serious, in the most entertaining way. She stepped off the stage and into the crowd, putting one audience member’s friend on speaker and asking why she had missed the show.
“She wasn’t invited — they’re on a date night,” the woman replied, sending the crowd into another wave of laughter. Another attendee called her son, and at Black’s prompting, the entire theatre cheerfully shouted, “Hi Peter!” in unison. The spontaneous exchange highlighted Black’s gift not just as a singer, but as a conductor.
In a heartfelt moment later in the evening, Black shared that she is now married and proudly introduced herself as Mrs. Valentine. She spoke candidly about her journey through past relationships and the new chapter she has entered, weaving personal testimony into her performance in a way that felt intimate and empowering.
Near the end of the show, emotion overtook her as she credited Burlington for its unwavering support. She reminded the audience that even during seasons when she didn’t have a song on the radio or a new album to promote, Burlington Performing Arts Centre consistently opened its doors to her. The appreciation was mutual; the standing ovation that followed was immediate and sustained.
In an interview after the show, Black explained why Burlington was the intentional starting point for this tour. “You saw the emotion,” she said, reflecting on her visible tears during the performance. “They’ve always been supportive. Even from when I did the Burlington music festival in 2011, the energy’s always been just love and just vibes.”
Beyond the evening concert, Black also spent time earlier in the day with local students, delivering an hour of motivation and inspiration, including to special needs students and their teachers.
“The opportunity to present to kids this afternoon, that’s the energy I want to start with,” she said. “I actually asked all the teachers to come to the front and gave them their flowers and applauded them for all of the work they do pouring into these kids’ lives.” Black described the moment as an extension of her personal mission, pointing to a tattoo of a bridge on her arm as a symbol of connection across generations. “That’s extending the bridge,” she explained.
When asked what distinguishes this tour from past ones, Black spoke about returning to her roots. “Being able to introduce new music in the way that I started — I started in live music. I didn’t have a record deal. I was not on the radio. All I had was my voice.” She acknowledged that at one point, she wasn’t sure whether she would record another album. “I thought maybe ‘Seven Day Fool’ would be that legacy song and I’d sing that forever. But now there’s about 30 of us behind the scenes and on stage, all trying to live off our art, people of colour who were told we were crazy to try and make music for a living.”
As the leader of a large creative team, Black described the freedom she now feels in shaping her own show. “At one point, other people were telling me what the show should be,” she said. “Now it’s a great moment of feeling sure, standing in my power.”
Black admitted that each venue brings a different dynamic. Theatres, clubs, and performing arts centres each require adjustment, and she embraces that challenge. “Feel the fear and do it anyway,” she said, noting that she was making real-time changes throughout the Burlington show, rearranging songs like a conductor moving pieces on a chessboard.
As for what this tour ultimately represents, Black offered a metaphor that resonated deeply. “This is another step in the ladder — and the ladder never ends. Rather than trying to run to the top, we’re taking it one step at a time.” When asked about breaking ceilings, she smiled. “The ceiling’s broken through. Now it’s about, ‘Are you ready, when the ceiling breaks, to fly?’”
If opening night in Burlington is any indication, Jully Black is not only ready to fly, she is bringing an entire country with her.
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