Gwerz was a supergroup that featured some of the finest innovative musicians in the contemporary Breton folk scene. Patrick and Jacky Molard, Erik Marchand, Youenn le Bihan and Soig Siberil founded it in the mid 1980s. Although most of Gwerz’s members have developed solo careers or joined other well-known bands, the group still performs together occasionally.
The Gwerz sound combines Breton traditional music, vocals and instruments with modern elements and Irish music influences, including the use of Irish pipes (uilleann pipes).
Musicians: Youenn Le Bihan (bombarde and bass bombarde), Jacky Molard (fiddle), Eric Marchand (vocals, clarinet), Patrick Molard (uilleann pipes), Soïg Sibéril (guitar), Alain Genty (bass), and Bruno Caillat (percussion)
Discography:
Musique bretonne de toujours (Gwerz, 1986)
Au delà (Escalibur, 1988)
Gwerz live (Gwerz Pladen, 1993)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
