Christine Balfa

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.

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

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