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[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

  • 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

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Louisiana Folk Roots". Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  2. 1 2 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. 1 2 Gruenig, Gerald (April 29, 2019). "Acadiana Music Spotlight- Christine Balfa". KLFY. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  9. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "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.
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