Biography
Florida native Gina Forsyth never entered the world as Cajun, yet her playing often conveys that impression. Much as Ann Savoy did, she embraced Cajun traditions wholeheartedly and earned deep affection from the community in return. After completing violin studies at Loyola University in New Orleans, she relocated to Southwest Louisiana in 1987, seeking full immersion in the region’s distinctive way of life. Once there she absorbed the customs, cuisine, and musical practices of the Cajun people, quickly becoming an active participant in the lively sessions that define the culture.
Her incisive fiddle work appears on numerous Cajun recordings. During the late 1980s she toured and recorded with the Cajun rock band Mamou. Bruce Daigrepont includes her on several of his albums, notably Coeur de Cajun (1989) and Paradis (1999). She also performs regularly alongside the accordionist at his shows and at his longstanding Sunday afternoon fais do do engagements at Tipitina’s in New Orleans. Forsyth joined Cajun fiddle giant Waylon Thibodeaux on his award-winning 1996 release Dans La Louisiane and contributed tracks to Out of the Blue, the 1999 album by the Burns Sisters; additional appearances can be found across various compilations.
Beyond instrumental performance, Gina Forsyth nurtures separate creative goals. She excels as a songwriter in addition to her instrumental prowess. Drawing on her Southern roots, she crafts material centered on the residents of Alabama, where she spent her formative years, and on the particulars of their daily existence. Many compositions arise from quiet introspection and self-examination. Others deliver pointed social commentary—sharp, frequently witty pieces that complete any folk repertoire. Haunting melodies paired with perceptive lyrics remain her signature traits.
She frequents the Neutral Ground Coffeehouse, New Orleans’s hub for acoustic music, and has performed at folk festivals nationwide, collecting numerous honors. Offbeat, the New Orleans music magazine, named her People’s Choice Winner in the folk category in 1994 and recognized her as Best Singer/Songwriter in both 1995 and 1996.
A solo album featuring Gina Forsyth at the forefront had long been anticipated. In 2001 she satisfied that expectation by issuing her debut recording, You Are Here. David Doucet, Mike West, Doug Belote, and Myskin appear among the contributors to the fifteen-track collection, which spans folk, rock, country, gospel, and Cajun styles. Love songs such as the title track sit beside up-tempo numbers like Everywhere I Am; reflective pieces such as Somewhere Off the Foot of This Mountain stand next to humorous selections including She’s Looking For A Dave and My Name is (Mud). She honors her Cajun circle with J’ai Fait Tout le Tour de Grand Bois. The overall sound stays bright yet unadorned, preserving the straightforward character of an authentic folk album.
Teaming with Lisa Markley and Beth Cahill, Forsyth formed the trio the Malvinas. The group issued the album I’m Not Like This. With Forsyth supplying its incisive lyrics, the project stands as a fitting tribute to Malvina Reynolds, the spiritual forebear of her folk-song approach.
Her incisive fiddle work appears on numerous Cajun recordings. During the late 1980s she toured and recorded with the Cajun rock band Mamou. Bruce Daigrepont includes her on several of his albums, notably Coeur de Cajun (1989) and Paradis (1999). She also performs regularly alongside the accordionist at his shows and at his longstanding Sunday afternoon fais do do engagements at Tipitina’s in New Orleans. Forsyth joined Cajun fiddle giant Waylon Thibodeaux on his award-winning 1996 release Dans La Louisiane and contributed tracks to Out of the Blue, the 1999 album by the Burns Sisters; additional appearances can be found across various compilations.
Beyond instrumental performance, Gina Forsyth nurtures separate creative goals. She excels as a songwriter in addition to her instrumental prowess. Drawing on her Southern roots, she crafts material centered on the residents of Alabama, where she spent her formative years, and on the particulars of their daily existence. Many compositions arise from quiet introspection and self-examination. Others deliver pointed social commentary—sharp, frequently witty pieces that complete any folk repertoire. Haunting melodies paired with perceptive lyrics remain her signature traits.
She frequents the Neutral Ground Coffeehouse, New Orleans’s hub for acoustic music, and has performed at folk festivals nationwide, collecting numerous honors. Offbeat, the New Orleans music magazine, named her People’s Choice Winner in the folk category in 1994 and recognized her as Best Singer/Songwriter in both 1995 and 1996.
A solo album featuring Gina Forsyth at the forefront had long been anticipated. In 2001 she satisfied that expectation by issuing her debut recording, You Are Here. David Doucet, Mike West, Doug Belote, and Myskin appear among the contributors to the fifteen-track collection, which spans folk, rock, country, gospel, and Cajun styles. Love songs such as the title track sit beside up-tempo numbers like Everywhere I Am; reflective pieces such as Somewhere Off the Foot of This Mountain stand next to humorous selections including She’s Looking For A Dave and My Name is (Mud). She honors her Cajun circle with J’ai Fait Tout le Tour de Grand Bois. The overall sound stays bright yet unadorned, preserving the straightforward character of an authentic folk album.
Teaming with Lisa Markley and Beth Cahill, Forsyth formed the trio the Malvinas. The group issued the album I’m Not Like This. With Forsyth supplying its incisive lyrics, the project stands as a fitting tribute to Malvina Reynolds, the spiritual forebear of her folk-song approach.
Albums
