Christine Atallah, Singer-Songwriter: Born in the wintry North, there is nothing cold about blazingly hot young star Christine Atallah who took to the bright lights early, making her first television appearance at the remarkable age of four years old. Born in a conservative Arabic family, she heeded her musical calling early and ran away from home at 17. Still a rebel today, she commands attention, speaks out for women and is a fascinating and erudite entertainer. The sensual diva of operatic training always felt the irresistible urge to sing. She was literally discovered out of a cast of a thousand in a megalithic tour of Verdi’s opera: Aida, toured the world, won a voice scholarship to Milan and trained and sang alongside some of Italy's greatest singers. Christine's unusually beautiful voice and presence led to a memorable performance onscreen and on CD when very young, in the Academy Award nominated film Jésus de Montréal. Until this day, people remember the hauntingly beautiful singing of the intense, dark haired young girl. Later, in New York she worked on original compositions alongside producer Clifford Anderson of the Sonny Rollins Band. While living in New York she composed original music, studied dance on Broadway, recorded and appeared in numerous films and videos. In Montreal she  completed her university training in music with distinction and founded The Bassalindos, who have performed as far as Amman Jordan,  Alexandria Egypt and Festivals around the world, getting raves for their innovative multilingual world-pop sound. Their album: Escapdes (Bolero Records 2006) in five languages is featured along with her autographed photo in permanent exhibit at the International Peace Museum in Samarkand for the Peace song: Salam. She hopes that her messages about  the vital need for global peace and her dream of the emancipation of women come to light. Christine has been a muse to Canadian composer John Winiarz. From the time of their meeting, Christine, as performer and muse has inspired, premiered or performed in some 12 of his compositions. Christine keeps up her vocal chops by singing several styles of music. She often collaborates with famous and beloved Montreal jazz pianist Billy Georgette. Her main writing collaborator is Danny McLaughlin, the band’s guitarist; formerly a classical player from Moncton in the Canadian Maritimes. Christine and Danny like to head out of the city to a country chalet where they withdraw from the world and have the writing sessions in which they compose much of their music.  Much of Christine’s music has been inspired by her intensive world travels whether touring, dancing tango, or pursuing her perilous passions of scuba diving and parachuting. She speaks four languages fluently and can get by in six, dabbling adeptly in others in whatever country she happens to be in as a true citizen of the world.  Her home city, Montreal embodies multiculturalism and tolerance. Its melting pot atmosphere and fertile creativity nurtured Christine’s longing to write rather than just interpret, which is what led her to make the leap to writing and recording her own original music. Christine hopes that she can bring about change and awareness through music, especially regarding the West's view of Arabs. Christine has been compared to Natacha Atlas,  Souad Massi with shades of Kate Bush with the suaveness of Diana Krall. The Bassalindos have been likened to Pink Martini and the Gypsy Kings. Christine’s vocal beauty, inspiring poetry and melodies on plaintive Middle Eastern keys collide with Western jazz scales and pop chords to soar and surprise. The instruments are exotic- weaved with heady chords, catchy pop choruses and memorable melodies. The music and lyrics are unforgettable and the tempi evocative of the percussion of desert countries, harem princesses, and moonlight nights on the dunes under the stars.