Vicky Tafoya possessed that rare gift of a soul singer. She could make you feel. Her voice carried more than melody; it carried her whole self, all her experiences distilled into sound that could reach parts of the human spirit in ways nothing else could.
One of my most treasured recent musical memories took place just outside the doors of the Cheech during ArtsWalk. Matt Beld played acoustic guitar while Vicky sang to a small crowd of about 30 people drawn by her performance. Between songs, she paused to share a story about singing with her mother. As Matt began the arpeggiated intro to "We Belong Together" by Ritchie Valens, it started to sprinkle. Vicky kept singing through the gentle rain, and looking around at that small crowd, everyone was crying.
It was one of those moments—not monumental but memorable. It was the spark that only music can ignite. Vicky always brought everything to her performances. Even the most recent time I saw her perform at the Farmhouse, she was clearly struggling physically but was able to find the fire for every song. She was meant to sing. You could see the connection between her and the crowd. It wasn’t an act. You could see the love. You could see the pain. She let the love win that night.
Vicky lost a battle with cancer on Sunday, August 24, 2025, and she will be missed. While we were not close, I had the opportunity to talk with her on a few occasions over the past couple of years. The gift she gave us was rare. A soul singer is a magician because they can make you feel. That was Vicky's superpower: helping us navigate the pain of loss and the joy of love, understanding that life is a constantly changing mixture of both.
To put something beautiful in the world is a gift for eternity. Vicky’s voice is a gift to all of us.
