Gwendal

Gwendal is a group of Breton Musique and Celtique.

The influences are multiple, going obviously from the Irish traditional Musique with the Rock, while passing by the Jazz and the Classical music. Their repertory is composed of Irish and Breton traditional pieces, but as of instrumental originals as some qualify progressive folk-rock'n'roll. the influence of the jazz is however more important than that of the rock'n'roll: would it then be necessary to speak about folk-jazz?

History

The group is formed in 1972 on the initiative of Youenn Berre (flute, bombards) and Jean-Marie Renard (rhythmic guitar). It also includes/understands Bruno Barré (violin) and Patrice Grupallo (percussions).

The first album, Gwendal , leave in 1974. The disc proposes a sound still rather near to a Irish Musique rather traditional, but the flights jazzy of Youenn Berre with bombards aggravate the traditionalists.

The second album leaves in 1975. Certain compositions (Twelve degrees, Street of the Small-Musk, Benoit, the migrating cuckoo) are original, and also are successful. The small pocket of the disc is illustrated by Claire Bretécher. Roger Schaub plays there of low. One very notes two chorus of an anonymous trumpet player to the accents baroques in " Hook palace": it is still an original initiative, this instrument being little snuffed folk groups!

In 1977, Gwendal integrates the battery into its music, with the arrival of Arnaud Rogers. Exit of the fourth album, My pretty scooter . The small pocket of the disc is illustrated by Bilal. Ricky Caust is with the electric guitar. The first face takes again traditional Irish. The second includes/understands a vast piece with the jazzistic influences some. Y. Berre plays there of the saxophone: its torrential solo evokes archie Shepp or Michael Brecker. The album will still make squeak the purists, in Brittany, where the group is whistled on several occasions. The album gwendal 4 leaves in 1979. On this album are felt multiple influences, reflections jazzy with the echoes of the progressive Rock.

Gwendal records its first live in 1981. The album is recorded with a concert given to Madrid. It should be noted that the group always had much success in Spain, certainly more than in France. This same year, the formation evolves/moves much. Robert Gall replaces Bruno Barré with the violin. Jean-Marie Renard leaves the scene and becomes manager of the group. It is replaced by François Ovide. The group also integrates a keyboard, held by Paul Faure. David Rusaouen takes the place of beater and Pascal Sarton that of bass player.

In 1983, leaves Locomo , sixth disc of Gwendal, recorded with the castle of Hérouville. Robert Gall gives up the violin and becomes bass player of the group.

Dance the Music , to very simple arrangements, almost Disco leaves in 1985.

In 1989, Gwendal leaves Glen River. This last offers a music more sober than the precedents, far from the sound jazzy of the Seventies or disco music of the precedent. It receives an excellent reception and will obtain the price of the Académie Charles-Cross-country race in 1990.

The following album, Pan ha Diskan leaves in 1995 and follows the same musical way as Glen River , by integrating African and Indian instruments.

Follows one long period of rest for the group, each one of its members taking part in other musical formations. - Robert Gall joined the formation of Alan Stivell as guitarist. - François Ovide joined the singer Renaud. Paul Faure successfully starts a career of pianist of jazz, then of Latin music. - Youenn Berre created the group Mugar, Berber mixture of Celtic music and . It is also implied in the project O' stravaganza, mixture of music of Vivaldi and Irish traditional Musique. This disc is produced by Hugues de Courson, former bass player of Malicorne, also producer of the albums Lambarena (mixture of music of Bach and African music) and Mozart the Egyptian (mixture of music of Mozart and Egyptian music) who have both receipt very critical warm welcome.

During all these years, the group continues to occur regularly in Spain, but one does not see them almost more in France.

In 2003, two novel members integrate the group: Ludovic Mesnil, also guitarist of daN Ar Braz and Jerome Gueguen, also clavierist of Old Stone.

In 2005, Gwendal leaves its tenth album, War Raog .

Discography

Albums

Compilations

  • 1994 : More Beautiful songs of Gwendal

  • 1998: Celtic Adventures

External bond

  • the official site of the group

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