Lorrie Sarafin
Lorrie Sarafin first heard the haunting sound of the Native American Flute in 1993 and was instantly captivated by its beauty. She bought her first flute in 1996 and took it out into the desert to learn how to play it. An avid hiker, Sarafin is fond of saying that it is the desert that taught her how to play; her teachers being the wind and all things in nature.
Sarafin has performed throughout the Phoenix, Arizona metro area, including the Arizona Mills Mall at Virgin Records (1999), the Chandler Center for the Arts (as part of the Intel 2000 and 2001 Benefit Talent Shows), Camelback Inn (as part of the 47th Annual NCCJ Humanitarian Awards Dinner - 2001), 2001 Great Human Race (an event to raise money for Valley non-profits), South Mountain Park (Annual Holiday Hikes for the years 2000 through 2003), Barnes and Noble Cafe (Chandler 2002), 2003 National Public Lands Day at South Mountain Park, 2003 Old Town Scottsdale Artwalk , 2003 Scottsdale Arts Festival (where she appeared on three different stages during the course of the three day festival), Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, and various outdoor weddings (South Mountain Park, Sedona’s Red Rock Crossing, and the Buttes in Tempe).
Sarafin is currently playing various Sunday mornings in Old Town Scottsdale. Check out the Appearances page for more info.
Sarafin has also volunteered her time to play for Bereavement Camps and Interfaith Memorial Services hosted by Banner Hospice, and has played for patients at Scottsdale Healthcare’s Osborn campus in an effort to promote healing.
"All of the songs on SECOND WIND are personal and reflect things I have experienced," says Sarafin. 'Bobbi (Canyon Sunrise)' is to honor my best friend from high school, Bobbi Planz, who passed away from ovarian cancer in December of 2004. 'Ceremony' is a song that I use a lot at weddings. In fact, I didn't really have a name for it until I realized how much I was playing it as a wedding march as couples came down the aisle and I got to reflecting on the rituals and ceremonies that all cultures have and decided that 'Ceremony' would be a perfect name for the piece. 'Sarah' is for a very special little girl who has continued to thrive despite the dire warnings from doctors that she wouldn't have much of a chance for survival. 'Blackheart' is for someone I know who has a lot of trouble with relationships. 'South Mountain Sunrise' is a song to honor that 17,000 acre park here in Phoenix, AZ. 'Tiger Eyes' is for a LEO friend of mine. 'Camelback Shadows' was inspired by watching the sunset on Camelback Mountain. 'Emergence' is my interpretation of the journey we all make in realizing our true selves. I truly believe our journey here is to discover our true self. I think once we figure that out, then all the pieces fall into place and life becomes more fulfilling and precious."
"There are 16 songs on this CD totaling 60 minutes - and 6 of those songs contain original native flute compositions. The flute tracks were recorded in a Phoenix, Arizona studio and then I worked on creating the background music and the other songs using various software. It is interesting how all this music came about because while I knew I had wanted to work on getting a CD together - it always seemed that I just didn't have enough time. They say God works in mysterious ways and it took two accidents which put me on crutches to get me to seriously think about my life's direction. So there I was, basically a prisoner in my home and not able to do too much or go anywhere and I thought - well - now I have the time to do this music!"
" 'Bobbi (Canyon Sunrise)' was actually created a couple of days after the first accident. I was in a lot of physical pain and yet I sat down at the computer and immersed myself in the creative process. When I listen to what was created it never ceases to amaze me how our spirits can soar even when we are faced with negative circumstances. I mean I was incredibly depressed at the time because I knew I couldn't get out and about and couldn't visit the beautiful desert. And yet the piece soars with positive energy. Go figure. At the time I wrote the song, Bobbi was still alive. Out of all the songs on the CD - this one has my heart as it is closest to what I desire to create as far as the sound goes."
Nature is what inspires Sarafin. "Being outside is like a balm for my soul. When I am in the desert and I can hear the quail, the doves, the cactus wrens, the coyotes, the hummingbirds and see javelina, jackrabbits, roadrunners, hawks, and all the various life forms which eke out their survival in this environment - I can feel the whole web of life and it's interconnectedness. What is reality? Is it the desert and nature? Or is it our daily working lives in the culture that has evolved around us? Do we all have a place and a path which will yet be revealed to us? Should we just blindly go through life not seeking out the mystery? Or do we take the chance and delve into the mystery? And what will happen if we do? What will happen if we don't?"
"Life is a Great Mystery. Sometimes the veil parts a little and I think I can see and understand some. But then the veil closes and I feel like what I thought I understood wasn't at all something that I understood and then I'm more confused than ever. I do believe that we are all greater than we think we are. That each of us has a part to play in this reality. That finding the balance is crucial to our survival and the planet's survival. Then again, maybe all that is just wishful thinking and we are no more than a few carbon based units occupying a world which will go on with or without us. I don't know. But I do know that on a clear night, away from the lights of civilization - I stare at the same stars which were viewed by my ancestors long ago and find myself pondering the Great Mystery and thinking about the reality of a small blue planet on the edge of a galaxy in an infinite universe..."