BALFA TOUJOURS
Southwest Louisiana
Cajun
Christine Balfa, leader of Balfa Toujours, carries on the Southwest Louisiana Cajun music traditions of her father, the late great fiddler Dewy Balfa, who with his brothers Will and Rodney are credited with bringing about the revival of Cajun music culture.
Christine, the youngest of Dewey Balfa's four daughters, grew up surrounded by the music of the Balfa Brothers. While still a teenager, she began playing triangle with her father and accompanied him across the country and to Europe. In Balfa Toujours she is the primary vocalist with a singing style full of the raw emotion that enables the best Cajun singers to communicate powerful feelings directly to their listeners whether or not they can understand the French lyrics. She also plays guitar in a style very close to that of her uncle Rodney, who was famous for his driving rhythm.
Dirk Powell, Christine's husband, plays accordion in Balfa Toujours, and also plays second fiddle when the group performs the twin fiddle music that is such a large part of the Balfa Brothers musical legacy.
Courtney Granger, great-nephew of the Balfa Brothers, has recently joined the group and his expressive fiddling, solid bass playing and emotional singing style have already earned him a solo record contract with Rounder Records.
Kevin Wimmer usually plays lead fiddle in Balfa Toujours but also is a full-time member of another band, the Redstick Ramblers. Kevin has been playing music since early childhood. When he first heard Dewey Balfa, he fell in love with the Cajun fiddle and very quickly became a master of it. He spent a great deal of time playing with Dewey and is considered by many to be the finest fiddler playing Cajun music today.
With these core members, Balfa Toujours delivers the unabashed, soulful spirit of Cajun music. In addition to playing for social dances in countless clubs and dancehalls in Louisiana and nearby states, Balfa Toujours has toured the nation and Europe.
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