Christine Balfa
Christine Balfa | |
---|---|
![]() Balfa playing the guitar at the 2009 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival | |
Background information | |
Born | (1968-06-28) June 28, 1968 (age 56)[1] Basile, Louisiana United States |
Genres | Cajun |
Occupation | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals, triangle |
Labels | Valcour, Rounder, Swallow |
Website | www |
Christine Balfa is a Cajun musician and founder of the group Balfa Toujours[2] known for performing vocals, guitar, and the triangle.[3] She is the youngest daughter of Dewey Balfa.
Balfa created the Cajun band Balfa Toujours in 1992; and her husband, Dirk Powell, was a long time member of the group.
Christine Balfa is a founding member of the Cajun band Bonsoir Catin, started along with the musicians Kristi Guillory[4] and Yvette Landry[5] in 2005.[6] Bonsoir Catin was nominated for a Best Regional Roots Album Grammy in 2014.[7]
Biography
Balfa was born on June 28, 1968.[1] Her father, the Cajun musician Dewey Balfa, gave her a triangle to play when she was still a toddler.[8] Throughout childhood, Balfa spent time playing music along with The Balfa Brothers in the family home near Basile, Louisiana.[8]
She is the founder of the nonprofit organization Louisiana Folk Roots which has a mission to preserve and promote Cajun and Creole culture.[9] Balfa has taught classes at Acadiana Symphony Orchestra's Conservatory of Music.[9]
In 1998, as Balfa Tourjours, Balfa recorded the album Allons Danser with the Creole musician Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin.[2]
Discography
[10][11][12][13][14]
- Christine Balfa Plays the Triangle (2006, Valcour Records CD 0006)[10]
With Balfa Toujours
- Pop tu me parles toujours (1993, Swallow Records 6110)
- À vieille Terre Haute (1994, Swallow Records 3121)
- New Cajun Tradition (1995, Ace Records (United Kingdom) CDCHD 613)
- Deux Voyages (1996, Rounder Records CD 6071)
- Allons danser – Bois Sec Ardoin with Balfa Toujours (1998, Rounder Records CD 6081)
- La Pointe (1998, Rounder Records CD 6086)
- Live at Whiskey River Landing (2000, Rounder Records CD 6096)
Compilations (partial list)
- Alligator Stomp, Vol. 5: Cajun & Zydeco - The Next Generation (1995, Rhino Records R2 71846)
- Bayou Hot Sauce (1997, EasyDisc (Rounder Records) ED CD 7044)
- Cajun Music: The Essential Collection (2002, Rounder Records 1166-11604-2)
- Best of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2002 (2011, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles/Valcour Records 0017)
With Bonsoir Catin
- Blues à Catin (2006, Bridgetown Records 687066539929/CD Baby)
- Vive L'Amour (2009, Valcour Records CD 0007)[10]
- Light the Stars (2014, Valcour Records CD 0023)[10]
- L'Aurore (2017, Valcour Records CD 0037)[10]
Compilations (partial list)
- The Rough Guide To Cajun & Zydeco (2011, World Music Network/Music Rough Guides RGNET1265CD)
- En Français - Cajun 'N' Creole Rock 'N' Roll (2011, Bayou Teche Brewing)
- Best of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2002 (2011, Valcour Records)[10]
- The Best of Valcour Records: Volume I, 2006-2011 (2012, Bayou Teche Brewing/Valcour Records CD 0018)[10]
- The Balfa Family: A Retrospective - Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010 (2012, Valcour Records)[10]
Bibliography
- Site of Balfa Toujours
See also
References
- ^ a b "Louisiana Folk Roots". Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
- ^ a b Jennings, Dana (November 22, 1998). "In Bayou Country, Music Is Never Second Fiddle (Published 1998)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Christine Balfa: 55 Minutes Of Solo Triangle". NPR. April 24, 2009. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "John Sebastian and Bonsoir Catin". New Orleans Public Radio. September 10, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Spitzer, Nick (May 29, 2020). "American Routes Shortcuts: Yvette Landry". New Orleans Public Radio. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Fuselier, Herman (July 6, 2017). "Northern Lights, arrangements inspire Bonsoir Catin". The Daily Advertiser. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Fuselier, Herman (December 6, 2014). "Three La. bands get Grammy nominations". The Town Talk. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Gruenig, Gerald (April 29, 2019). "Acadiana Music Spotlight- Christine Balfa". KLFY. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Fuselier, Herman (January 23, 2015). "Talent, friendships fuel Bonsoir Catin". The Daily Advertiser. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "CDS". Valcour Records. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ "Christine Balfa". Discogs. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ Harris, Craig. "Balfa Toujours biography". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
- ^ "Bonsoir Catin". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
- ^ "Bayou Teche Brewing Company". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
External links
- Official website
- Balfa Toujours at Acadgate
- Interview with Christine Balfa
- BonSoir Catin site