Music
Press
With regard to "Juxtaposed", it must be noted that it's a wonderful
collection of diverse ethnic songs by which Sarine once again confirms that love, human sadness and emotions are the same for all people despite ethnic, linguistic and cultural differences.
- AZG Daily - Armenia
Raised in Lebanon and the U.S., this talented singer offers an unusual combo: traditional ethnic songs and American standards. A song about betrayal, “Siroun Manoushag” is an affecting vocal with flute[sax]. Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and“Get
Out of Town” are rendered expertly by Sarine, whose voice and sensitive, skillful backup band sound quite like Norah Jones.
Music supervisors should take note.
- Music Connection Magazine
"Juxtaposed"
Saucy Records
January 2007
Of Armenian descent and grown up in Lebanon in the 80’s, Sarine Balian lives in the USA where she keeps in touch with her native community. She sings in the Armenian, English and Spanish language as she considers that a language is never enough to express what she as an artist is supposed to render. Thus, familiar Latin and jazz compositions coexist with a typical eastern melancholy free of references to ethnic commonplace. It proves her sound musical background perfection in terms of technique and the overall outcome is remarkable. - RadioPhone.gr
"Sarine Balian's vocals are beautifully introspective, both uplifting and reflective, with that compelling quality that opens doors towards a unique dialogue with the ancestral, and framed always within her own powerful sense of personal history and social justice".
- Hafez Modirzadeh
Discography
"Juxtaposed" Debut LP
Photos
Bio
Vocalist Sarine Balian performs enchanting music reflective of her textured cultural background and spirituality. Born of Armenian descent, she was raised in both Lebanon and the Unites States. Sarine has long been a lover of music that crosses the same cultural boundaries she experiences.
During her study of jazz and world music at San Francisco State University, Sarine paired with two influential mentors - vocalist Sandy Cressman and Persian instrument expert and saxophonist Dr.Hafez Modirzadeh. In addition to her university training, sarine studied Middle Eastern percussion with master percussionist Ms. Mary Ellen Donald.
When asked about the combination of American jazz standards with traditional Armenian songs and the use of both jazz and Mid. Eastern instrumentation, Ms. Balian said, "My music is an expression of who I am and what I am inspired by; music that allows multiple cultures to exist in the same space."
In addition to several Bay Area performance groups she is a member of the Sweetwater Singers, a pan-Indian northern plains style Powwow drum group that sang regularly at San Francisco Bay Area community events. As a member of the Oakland Jazz Choir and The High Seas Sarine performed in San Francisco, Oakland and the greater Bay Area.
Sarine's previous projects include developing and arranging music for theatre productions, including Tamam and Abaga, Armenian music consultation for Golden Thread Production's presentation of 9 Armenians, and composing for and performing with SFSU's Creative World Ensemble.
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