Raffi (his real name) Cavoukian was born on July 8, 1948 in Cairo, Egypt. His family immigrated to Canada in 1958. He began his career as a Toronto-based singer/songwriter in 1970 and began performing for young children in 1974.
His first children's album, Singable Songs for the Very Young, was released in 1976, and is still his best-selling. Raffi has recorded a total of 13 albums and 3 concert videos. Sales in North America range from gold to triple platinum, and total over 12 million units.
Seven songbooks and fifteen picture books based on Raffi's music have been published - over three million copies are sold and in print.
Raffi has written a number of inspirational songs for parents, educators, children's advocates and older children. They include "Blessed Be," which is featured on the video Begin With Love, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, and "Counting On You," inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall.
Raffi's Covenant for Honouring Children, a poetic declaration of our responsibilities to children and the Earth, is being circulated widely through child advocacy and environmental health groups. An audio version, featuring the voices of Raffi, Dr. Jane Goodall and the Dalai Lama, is included on the Troubadour Foundation CD, Song for the Dalai Lama. Available online at
www.rounder.com
This year, Raffi is devoting his energies to writing Child Honoring: How To Turn This World Around, an anthology promoting respect for the first years of life as the best way to create a humane and sustainable world.
