Ziaf performs the work of the legendary French chanteuse, Edith Piaf, but to call them a cover band would largely miss the point. Ziaf are interpreters who put a hip, engaging spin on Piaf's repertoire, attracting a diverse audience of rock scene hipsters, curiosity seekers, and older people who remember the Piaf legend, if not her whole songbook. Christine Zufferey is a captivating singer who draws listeners into the emotional content of the song, and it makes little difference whether the listener understands the French language, since emotion is universal. In fact, listeners who think they don't like French music may be stunned to find themselves drawn into the music through Ziaf's clever arrangements. The accompanying musicians (Catherine Capozzi-guitar; Chie Imaizumi-piano; Tamora Gooding-drums) provide sympathetic backing to the sheer power of Zufferey's voice. And for French music to come across so forcefully in the Anglophone city of Boston, where Ziaf is based, tells you there is something very special and magical about this band.
The facts:
Ziaf formed in October of 2003. In 2004 the band toured Switzerland (twice) and played over 60 shows in diverse venues. From rock clubs to theaters to festivals they play to capacity only audiences in every venue.
This year, Ziaf opened for Lhasa de Sela, toured to France for the first time and will be on a 3 months tour to Europe this fall.
GEORGES MOUSTAKI SAYS:
Fraîcheur, musicalité, rythme, talent, sensibilité, émotion... Piaf aurait aimé entendre ses chansons "revisitées" par Ziaf. Une célébration à la hauteur du génie de la grande petite dame.
ZIAF PRESS
- Voted "Best of Boston 2005" by the Improper Bostonian magazine, July 2005
- "Putting the punk into Piaf ... Ziaf, bringing a fresh perspective to old songs..." - Interview, photo and show preview, Paris Voice, FRANCE, May/June 2005 issue
- "Little Sparrow's work soars in Ziaf's hands" - Interview and photo, Boston Herald, USA, April, 2005
- "Avec sa voix puissante et parfaitement modulée, la chanteuse insuffle une vigueur nouvelle aux compositions interpretées originellement par Edith Piaf." - Interview with photo, "24week-end" section, 24 Heures, SWITZERLAND, April 2005
- "C'est à Hambourg, Mon Dieu, La foule, Roulez tambours, Mon légionnaire, J't'ai dans la peau... la légende Piaf est là en ces Étasuniennes surprenantes, à l'accompagnement peu orthodoxe, entre cabaret guinche et rock fort" - Live review with photo, Tribune Le Progrès, FRANCE, April 2005
- "...la voix profonde et envoûtante de Christine sied parfaitement aux mélodies françaises, tristes et endiablées. Rare, les chansons de Piaf conservent toutes leurs émotions avec la Sierroise aux commandes " - Artist profile and show preview with photo, Journal de Sierre, SWITZERLAND, April 2005
- "If the sultry, haunting sounds of Piaf put you in the mood for a weekend trip to Paris, Ziaf is the next best thing" - The Lowell Sun, USA, April 2005
- "ZIAF, Un groupe à découvrir et à écouter surtout" - Interview, photo and show preview, Infos Loisirs, FRANCE, April 2005
- "Piaf has been resurrected by Ziaf, which is actually the multifaceted alt-rock band All the Queen's Men, with vocals by Christine Zufferey, who hails from Switzerland and speaks French. Close your eyes and pretend you're on the left bank." - Photo and feature, Globe "Go!" section,Boston Globe, USA, March 2004
- "Best Band: followers of the late Edith Piaf swear by Ziaf's stunning ability to channel the French cabaret singers songs...." - Delta Airlines Shuttle Tip Sheet, USA, July 2004
- "They don't cover Piaf, but put their own contemporary spin on her songs.." - Artist spotlight and show preview with photo, "Calendar"section, Boston Globe, USA, December 2004
- "Tourbillonnant, envoûtant!" - Live review with photo, Le Nouvelliste, SWITZERLAND, April 2004
- "Pared-down rock version of Edith Piaf's music...Once in a while success comes when and where you least expect it." - Front page photo and preview recommendation, "Live this Weekend" Arts section, Providence Journal, USA, October 2004
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