Christine Balfa
A woman wearing a yellow t-shirt smiling and playing a black acoustic guitar.
Balfa playing the guitar at the 2009 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
Background information
Born (1968-06-28) June 28, 1968 (age 55)[1]
Basile, Louisiana
United States
GenresCajun
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, triangle
LabelsValcour, Rounder, Swallow
Websitewww.christinebalfa.com

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]

With Balfa Toujours

Compilations (partial list)

With Bonsoir Catin

Compilations (partial list)

Bibliography

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Louisiana Folk Roots". Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Christine Balfa: 55 Minutes Of Solo Triangle". NPR. April 24, 2009. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "John Sebastian and Bonsoir Catin". New Orleans Public Radio. September 10, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Fuselier, Herman (December 6, 2014). "Three La. bands get Grammy nominations". The Town Talk. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h "CDS". Valcour Records. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  11. ^ "Christine Balfa". Discogs. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  12. ^ Harris, Craig. "Balfa Toujours biography". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  13. ^ "Bonsoir Catin". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  14. ^ "Bayou Teche Brewing Company". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2018.

External links

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Categories