Originally from upstate New York and later Santa Fe, New Mexico, Christine Albert moved to Austin, Texas in 1982. Since that time she has evolved into the consummate “Texas Chanteuse”, combining her musical influences from Texas to Paris, Patsy to Piaf.

Christine’s French grandmother lived in Paris and her mother was born in Switzerland, so she was surrounded by the French language and culture throughout her childhood. In a Santa Fe high school French class she discovered the music of Edith Piaf and the sounds of a Parisian café began to show up in the music of this country/folk singer-songwriter. Throughout her career she has continued to move naturally and gracefully between the genres.

Since the 1992 release of the bilingual "Texafrance", the 2003 follow up "Texafrance-Encore!", and 2008’s “Paris, Texafrance”; Christine Albert has been enchanting audiences with her Franco-Lone Star fusion described by The Austin American-Statesman as "a waltz across Texas with Maurice Chevalier". Dirty Linen Magazine commented that Christine “sings in an expressive soprano with just enough twang to make the Cajun/Texas flavor evident and just enough crispness to inhabit effectively the more Parisian of the tunes she chooses.”

The first in the series, “Texafrance”, was produced by Austin guitar great Mitch Watkins and set the tone for what was to become an acclaimed and beloved series of recordings. The distinctive mandolin style of Paul Glasse complements the music perfectly, with songs ranging from Piaf classics No Regrets and La Vie en Rose to a bilingual versions of “Let It Be Me”, made famous by The Everly Brothers, and Bob Seger’s “Accompany Me”.

“Texafrance-Encore!” was produced by Albert’s husband/partner and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Chris Gage, and features a mixed bag of music - the familiar "Mademoiselle de Paris", jazz master Stephane Grapelli’s lively "Coucou", and 18th-century ballad-turned-folk-song "Plaisir d’Amour" – to name a few. Chris Gage drives the arrangements on piano, guitar and accordion and Paul Glasse once again adds his unique mandolin work.

April 2008 was a fitting month for the release of “Paris, Texafrance” – the third in the “Texafrance” series. Again produced by Chris Gage, the CD includes songs by Albert’s inspiration, Edit Piaf, as well as tunes from Charles Trenet with English translations handled by Ms. Albert. The music is warm and acoustic and the character of a 100 year old Bechstein grand piano in Gage’s hands is the centerpiece. Ms. Albert’s voice has matured and “the possessor of one of the best and purest voices in Austin, Texas” (3rd Coast Magazine) shines on this outing. She casts a wide net for her material and also includes “L’air de la Louisiane” by Jesse Winchester and “The French Song” – a bilingual country song that was a hit in 1963 for Canadian Lucille Starr.

Ms. Albert and her band have performed on stage with Ballet Austin in Stephen Mills' ballet "Red Roses", choreographed to the music of Edith Piaf. She sells out an annual romantic Valentine’s celebration in Austin, Texas and has performed her French music at The San Angelo Museum of Art, Houston International Festival, The Texas French Symposium/San Antonio, Texas A&M University at Kingsville, Austin Community College, The French Legation, The Brackenridge Hospital Foundation Dinner and at numerous other private and public events.

When Ms. Albert is not donning her chanteuse chapeau, she is one half of the popular Texas Americana duo “Albert and Gage”, with her husband Chris Gage. Together they have released 5 CDs and toured in a dozen countries, on their own and with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Slaid Cleaves. They own and operate MoonHouse Records and MoonHouse Studio, which recently moved to a commercial location in south Austin.
Christine has appeared on Austin City Limits, written and performed her own "Don't Mess with Texas" radio ad and was featured in a popular Bluebell Ice Cream television commercial. She was voted Female Vocalist of the Year at the 1996 Kerrville Music Awards.

An active and committed community volunteer, Christine is co-founder, president and project manager for Swan Songs (www.swansongs.org), an Austin area non-profit that organizes private concerts for individuals at the end of life with their favorite Texas musician. In 2007 she was elected to represent the Texas Chapter on the National Board of Trustees of The Recording Academy.
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