Basque Country
- Urbil & Txomin Artola, Txomin began his profesional career in his teens playing rock & roll. In the sixties he became involved with the emerging folk music revival and as a result during the seventies contributed actively in the Basque Song movement. In most recent years he has been performing and recording in duo with his son Urbil. He opened a bar in Hondarribia (Banako) to create a space for artistic, literary and musical expression.
- Bidaia, these four musicians create music which is as much Basque as is it universal, inspired by traditional dance melodies & rhythms as well as international folklore. They play traditional Basque instruments combined with acoustic guitar, piano, hurdy-gurdy, Moroccan darbouka & Andalusian cajon.
- Briganthya, Celtic music. (in Spanish)
- Drònadár, is the mixture of some musical traditions located in the misterious edges of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite all those boring discussions about styles of music, they can call it Atlantic Folk/World Music in a generic way.
- Feile, play a fusion of Celtic music with funk, rock and blues, along with dances from Canada, France, Italy and Basque Country.
- Gartxot, a band that centers mainly in the melodies that come to us from the North, of Celtic origin, but without putting aside the rhythmical richness of the Southern music.
- Joxan Goikoetxea, energy and great activity in a variety of fields characterise the career of this eclectic and innovative Basque musician.
- Kepa Junkera, is a folk music icon in the Basque region and an innovator on the diatonic accordion known in the region as trikitixa.
- Ibon Koteron, his role in the survival of the almost extinct Basque horn-pipes "alboka" is undoubted, and recognized by the last traditional players, having got a well established school of modern alboka players.
- Kukuma, joins Celtic, African and South American rhythms with the traditional Basque music.
- Oskorri, a musical career of more than thirty years, twenty-three albums, an intense "research" activity, their music is without labels, nourished by new sounds, rooted in tradition without losing its relevance to today.
- Rhune, Celtic folk-rock. (in Spanish)
- Súgán, is a group made up of musicians from different geographical backgrounds (Irish, British, Galician and Basque) and different musical roots (traditional, classical, folk, pop, rock and blues). Their repertoire combines traditionals and their own compositions based on Celtic music and other influences.
- Tapia eta Leturia, is more than just the combination of an accordionist and a tambourine player. They are a registered brand of authenticity in the circle of contemporary triki, two musicians that know how to adapt themselves to all the possible contexts.
- Xarnege or Sharnègo, is a Gascon word which refers to villages on the Gascony and Basque border in which people express themselves in both Basque and Gascon. And so the musical project of Xarnege is a blending and includes many of the abundant elements common to both cultures.
Top
Belarus
- Eastern Folk: Belarus, info about Belarussian folk music inside the website of the Polish magazine "Gadki z Chatki".
- Altanka, the musicians arrange traditional motifs in such a way so that the music would preserve the features of antiquity and magic. For them, an important element in creating music is spontaneity (in a positive sense of the word) and the personal input of every member of the group into creation and shaping of songs. The result blends elements of blues, rock... with original traditional ethnic, ancient Belarusian folk songs.
- Ban Zhvirba, this folk-rock band joins traditional Belorussian folk motifs with classic rock and influences of modern alternative music. (in Belorussian).
- Guda, the basis of Guda's repertoire are ritual songs performed "a capella". They practice "glasny speu" ("vocal singing") which basic aesthetic criterion is the ability to "lead out loud" (prolonged singing with deep breath) and "raise" the song (singing with sonorous thorax lining). Plurality of sounds is characteristic to vocal singing, these sounds are linked in an organic way into melodic line of the tune.
- Jar, Masha Lagodich and Natasha Piatrovich combines folk music with different modern musical styles, such as jazz and avant-garde music.
- Kriwi, they describe their style as "Authentic? World? Folk? Experiment?" and they really seem to draw from all of the above genres. They combine the characteristic Belorussian manner of singing "from the throat" with the sound of traditional instruments (hurdy-gurdy, bagpipe, smyk, drum, or trumpet) and modern ones (guitars, keyboards, and samplers). The effect of such a combination is a unique blend of folk ambience and contemporary mysticism.
- Nagual, their aim is to deepen their knowledge about music origins, modern trends, shaping of folk cultures, relations among people, since these factors directly influence the group's creativity. They create music by means of selected instruments, their unique arrangements and feelings of the musicians.
- Osimira, is a project of 7 musicians. The idea of the project is to restore authentic native music, which is not only to be played but to be lived in. This music joins songs of folk festivities, fairs and dances with melodies of the nature where each place sounds in a different way. This is the music of man and nature which sounds in everyone.
- Palac, was created in 1992 by professional musicians, who had experience in performing different musical styles. The musicians wanted to create such a band to be able to play authentic Belorussian folklore in its original sounding as well as in different stylistic arrangements. In the repertoire of the group there are songs created on the motifs of Belorussian folk and customary songs, as well as songs written by musicians. (in Russian or Belorussian ?)
- Stary Olsa, try to reconstruct the musical traditions of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania where Belarus was the basic cultural and geopolitic part in the 13th-18th centuries, and where there was a unique synthesis of Belarusan folk and aulic music with the European musical achievements of that time.
- Troitsa, the idea to form such a group came to Ivan Ivanovich Kirtchuk in 1986, when he was collecting ethnographic material in Belorussian villages. His main motive for taking this step was the desire to popularize national songs, to connect them with musical traditions of the world.
- Ur'ia, the crossroad of the modern (underground, rock music, brit-pop, fusion, break-beat, r'n'b) and ancient cultures of many peoples is the musical conception of this project.
Top
Belgium
- Accordance, dance music from different region: France, Wallonie, Flandre. (in French)
- AedO, young Flemish instrumental folk. (in Flemish)
- Amazone MMM, dance and trad music from many countries. (in Flemish)
- Ambrozijn, in the very beginning they played traditional folk. However, they started soon searching for their own roots which was looking for traditional songs and tunes and twisting them in all kinds of directions. Together with Laïs, they were immediately considered as the leading band in the new Belgian folk wave.
- Anam!carA, has been founded in 2003 and is based in Maldegem, a city in-between Bruges and Gent, nearby the Dutch border. Their name is a Celtic expression standing for "soul mate". The group plays songs and dance tunes, traditional and their own compositions. (in Flemish)
- Aran, Irish music ... building on tradition. (in Flemish)
- Ashels, based around a family trio this eight piece band is one of the representants of the "Pan-European" Flemish Folk movement, playing an enjoyable mixture of instrumental music from all over Europe, with a particular focus in the British-Irish regions. (in Flemish)
- Asi Sea, play a mixture of different music styles such as blues, folk, Middle East and Far East folk, flamenco.
- Aura Popularis, proposes to keep Italian folklore vivid through the popular songs and dances of the peninsula.
- Bal des Boiteux, shows what contemporary folkmusic in Flanders is about. Like any musical style that has been away for a long time, it requires new ideas and is often confronted with new environments. Instead of resolving these confrontations between musical styles by introducing new instruments or by crossing them over to fusion-styles, the new ideas of bdb come from within.
- Bal en Soir, bal folk. (in French)
- Balladeus, new Flemish Folk band. (in Flemish)
- Blunt, Folk rock. (in Flemish)
- Borges' Music Box, this Portuguese musician living in Brussel brings music and humour from his great mobile suitecase.
- Camping Sauvach, is composed by 7 musicains from Namur. They mix French "chansons" together with Rom sounds and happy melodies. (in French)
- Ceili Moss, is a Celtic folk quartet founded in 1995 at Namur by four music freaks who wanted to have fun and free beers. They play their own tunes along with some classics.
- Clochard, in the beginning the band played Flemish folk songs, then turned towards Celtic songs and tunes. After a while the band left the path of purely Celtic music, deciding to combine its own compositions with songs and tunes from all over Europe and even beyond. Clochard still remains a very folky band but keeps an open mind and isn't afraid to be influenced by jazz or rootsmusic.
- Cluricauns, in the beginning days, the group drew their inspiration from folkrock in the style of The Levellers and the Waterboys. Even though echoes of these bands are still present, the Cluricauns have developed a sound of their own, where traditional music is influenced by rock and jazz. A long series of concerts has resulted in a spectaculary energetic live-act. No matter the size of the stage, the Cluricauns will touch your heart and get your feet moving.
- CoÏncidence, seven young musicians, rocked since their more tender childhood by the folk-rock music and the Seventies rebel songs.
- The Comas, although coming from diverse musical backgrounds, and residing in different parts of the globe, they found eachother in their similiar approach to music, bringing together their many cultural influences to forge a unique blend of traditional Irish music. Comas are a band firmly rooted in Irish music, but with enough space to allow in original compositions and new influences
- A Contrabanda, plays traditional Galician music. (in French)
- Crossroads, was originally formed in 1988 to perform traditional music from the UK and Ireland. Since 1992, Crossroads has been creating its own style of folk music inspired by the traditions and roots of the musicians which make up the current four piece group.
- Deux Accords Diront, diatonic accordion trio with a very large repertoire (France, Celtic and Irish music...) (in French)
- DJ Jåk, plays a mix of folk from the cold north, but also from hot Africa, sunny Latino from America, and Fusion from India. A lot of Celtic folk and folkrock from Ireland, France and Spain, New Flemish folk-wave, Raï, Flamenco, music from Eastern Europe,...
- Éishtlinn, is a 5 piece band playing Irish traditional and contemporary music.
- Et Encore, started by playing Irish traditionals and popular folksongs the band evolved after a short time into a folkrockband with lots of own songs and built up a great live reputation.
- Fluxus, is a young group playing contemporary folkmusic which they call "Fluid Folk".
- Folkambiance, play progressive folk! It comes from the south of Belgium and play Irish, Breton, Flemish, Luxembourg, Russian folk music. They play, they sing, they dance, they make you happy. (in French)
- Gaïa, polkas, scottisches, valses, mazurkas, gigues, bourrées, andros, gavottes and many other dances from North and South Europe, as well as from East and West, America, Israel and Belgium. (in French)
- Griff, uses the skills of three virtuoso bagpipe players as a starting point, arranged in a modern way. Their repertoire balances in between composition and tradition; a band guided by intuition, rather than by conventions.
- Ialma, Galician female singers, living in Belgium.
- Les Infants du Catiau, this folk-dancing performing group (with orchestra), propose a program of dances, songs and musics from Wallonia and Flanders, historical dances, dances and songs from Macedonia, Croatia and Yougoslavia.
- Patrick Jacob, started to play the Highland Bagpipe at the age of 11 years and played many solo competitions and quite a lot pipebands in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. There he discovered the Uilleann Pipes. Patrick plays the Uilleann Pipes solo and in a band called "The Cat's Miaow" together with Julien Marechal (fiddle) and Jacques Lognay (guitar and bouzouki).
- Jaune Toujours, credible songs on accordeon, upright bass, drums and brass, somewhere in between the early Négresse Vertes and the Balkan brass bands. New roots music from Brussels.
- Kadril, is a brilliant folk/rock band. (in Flemish)
- Kiermesdrep, plays traditional music from Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Québec... In particular, their repertoire include songs and music typical of Arelerland or Pays d'Arlon, sung in the local dialect. (in French)
- De Krekels, is a folkloristic group playing folk music for folk dancing and flag-waving. (in Flemish)
- Laïs, a seven-piece band fronted by three alluring young women, Jorunn Bauweraerts, Annelies Brosens and Nathalie Delcroix, singing beautiful harmonies, occasionally a cappella, but more often to an eclectic accompaniment that ranges from the downright folky to something closer to electropop. They consider themselves to be part of the folk scene, and most of the songs that they perform are either traditional or sound as though they could have been.
- Dider Laloy, Wunderkind of the diatonic accordion, he is also one of the most endearing personalities on the Belgian folk scene and has lent his talent to innumerable groups. His work, past and present, includes collaborations with Tradison, Marka, Gwenaël Micault, Raphy Raphael, Musique à 9, Urban Trad., Luc Pilartz, Photis Ionatos, Zahava Zeewald, Tref, Ialma, Laïs, Panta Rhei, Garam Masala and Trio Trad. (in French)
- La Maclote, play Walloon music from the last century.
- Mairan, moulds old texts - Flemish, French, English, Italian and even Latin poetry- into powerful songs, into melancholic ballads or into infectious dance-songs. Out of several styles, Mairan looks for an organic mixture of vocal purity and instrumental drive. Three female singers are surrounded by acoustic and electric instruments, which yields some original arrangements ans surprisingly colourful combinations. (in Flemish)
- Moïraï, bal folk. (in French)
- Les Muchards, are a group of pipers whose purpose it is to perpetuate the tradition of the muchards (the bagpipe players of the Hill District in western Hainaut). Michel Massinon and Jean-Pierre Wilmotte play tunes (in two voices) that comes from tradition or were found in the score books of dance musicians of the past centuries.
- Obidao, music for your feet: folk dance from Brittany, Ireland... (in French)
- Olla Vogala, middle age music, including bourrées from Auvergne, Monteverdi, traditional Flemish folk songs, Arabic song, old French ballads, a-capella, Middle Dutch receipts, "free" music on several themes and of course original compositions.
- Orion, is a Belgo-Breton band with a personal approach of the Celtic tradition. Haunting slow airs and gentle melodies alternate with powerfully tunes and its own compositions, in a multitude of musical influences.
- Othmar, Belgian "Jazzy Folk" duo. Tenor sax, voice and folk guitar make for an explosive cocktail of Jazz and Folk.
- Piccard & Masure, pieces from France, Scotland, and elsewhere spice up this Flemish duo, but otherwise they play sweet, beautiful Belgian music.
- Die Rooselaer, about 10 musicians bring the traditional music from Belgium.
- Daithi Rua, is an Irish musician and songwriter from Co. Offaly. Brought up by musical parents, he was given the songs of the Dubliners and Planxty to eat and drink and later digested bands like the Fureys, moving hearts and the Pogues in the 80's. Now based in Belgium, Daithi has been playing music for the best part of fifteen years and his tours take him all over mainland Europe, the U.k., Ireland, Scandinavia and the middle east both as a solo performer and with his band Sans Souci.
- La Saltarelle de Wavre, Wallonian folkdance group which show is based exclusively on traditionnal and ancient dances of Wallonia. (in French)
- Shantalla, "an outstanding Irish-Belgian group.....completely brilliant, leading you to think of the instrumental bravura of the top Irish groups such as Dervish".
- Snakes in Exile, plays mainly Irish and Scottish folk, but also own songs and classics from the blues, pop and gospel repertoire.
- T'kliekske, in 1968 four young people travelled through Flanders, visiting older people, driven by a fascination for the songs and dances of their tradition: folk song, melodies, dances were collected. The foursome didn't stop at collecting alone: 't Kliekske brings different thematic acts on stage and the group gets its inspiration out of that rich tradition.
- Tom Togher, although Mayo-born Tom has been living in Belgium for the best part of his life, his dedication and love of his native music has not subsided, but in fact increased in the years. Tom's favourite instrument is the single-row melodeon, but often he may be better known as a singer. His versatility is highlighted by the fact that he doesn't confine himself to one group of musicians, but loves to mix and play with others.
- Trio Trad, the music they bring comes from the whole of Europe: they sing the wide Hungarian Puszta, the rough mountains of Val Resia , the loneliness of the Norvegian fjords. This music is beautiful and wild like those remote places that only have dreams as their frontiers. An imaginary trip where emotion and the fire of the dance join in.
- Trivelin, revival of traditional tunes from Wallonia and other regions (Ardenne and Gaume), using traditional instruments and modern musical techniques. (in French)
- Troissoeur, is a young promising folk/world music band.
- Urban Trad's music has a strong Celtic base, mixing in other traditions, New Age, urban, jazz, computer-generated music, and a lot of imaginations...
- Wild Turkey, is not only the name of a folkrockpunk-music band of Bornem it's also a brand of whiskey, quite heavy, also on stage.
- Zjamoel, was founded in 1977 by some musicians who had sneaked off their folk-dance group. From now on folk music sounds rather self-willed and self-made songs are less and less folksongs.
Top
Bosnia
- Halid Bešlic, is a popular folk singer in Bosnia and Herzegovina. (in ? Anyway, not in English!)
- Goran Bregovic, is born in Sarajevo of a Serbian mother and a Croatian father. Roots in the Balkans where he stems from, head in the 21st Century which he fully inhabits, Goran Bregovic's music marries sounds of a gypsy brass band with traditional Bulgarian polyphonies, those of a guitar and traditional percussion with a curious rock accent....
- Haris Dzinovic, is a singer with an extraordinary voice qualities, but he is also a composer, a musician and he writes lyrics for his songs. He begun his music career in the 1975 in his hometown Sarajevo as a singer and composer of folk music when pop and evergreen music was more dominant in the Balkans area, so he prefers to compose for others and gives out his melodies. Throughout his career, he has sold nearly five million albums.
Top
Brittany
- An Dud Nevez, traditional Breton music.
- L'Ange Vert, mix trad with rock, acoustic and electric sounds, producing a powerful music ranging from songs, progressive rock and chant de marins:
- Añjel I.K., one of the best contemporary voices of traditional breton laments sings some dancing songs, a bombard answers a biniou, trash-guitars and drums give a R'n'R touch and samples are added to make with Añjel I.K. a great and new musical style in Brittany. An excellent fusion between modern dance and traditional dance music. (in French)
- Dan Ar Braz, is, together with Alan Stivell and Gilles Servat, one of the most famous Breton musicians, but as popular he can be, his music (except for The Heritage of the Celts) still is neglected by non-specialists:
- Armens, Celtic folk-rock (in French)
- Ar Re Yaouank, disbanded seminal fest-noz band. The distance between Breton traditional dance music and pop-rock was very narrow in the band's influences and that was the feeling of the audience during their concerts:
- Arz Nevez, these four classically trained musicians have dedicated themselves to the interpretation of traditionnal Celtic string music as well as original pieces written for them by the composer Yves Ribis.
- Amann Rik, their aim is to serve the dancers in Festoù-Noz, while trying to tickle the ears of those which involuntarily remained wedged in the tail of the refreshment bar. The interpreted topics are built on the basis of rhythmic traditional dance high and low Brittany, but their melody lines allow sometimes flirter with other cultures.
- Michel Aumont, inspired by his deeply-rooted experience in Breton music, this virtuoso clarinettist had foresight to know how to adapt and enrich it and to develop his particular imagination, especially through other musical encounters. (in French)
- Avel Glas, well-known Celtic quartet based in Nantes and Laval. From Irish, Breton, Scottish traditional tunes to Celtic rock played on whistles, diatonic accordion, guitars, bass, and drums. (in French)
- Awatah!, a 7-man group composed by well known traditional musicians. Their repertoire includes Breton traditional dances. (in French)
- Babord Amures, sea shanties. (in French)
- A Bagad is a traditional Breton band. It is quite a recent kind of band very similar to Scottish Pipe Bands. A bagad consists in three groups of instruments: bagpipes (binou koz), bombardes and drums. The first site to discover is Bodadeg Ar Sonerion, the Association of Breton Players.
- Bagad An Eor Du (Ploudalmézeau, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad An Erge Vihan (Ergué-Armel - Quimper, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad An Erge Vras (Ergué Gabéric, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad An Hanternoz (Dol de Bretagne, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine) (in French)
- Bagad Ar Meilhoù Glaz (Moulin Vert - Quimper, 29 Finistère)
- Bagad Ar Poullig Gwenn (Le Pouliguen, 44 Loire-Atlantique) (in French)
- Bagad Ar Re Goz (Quimper, 29 Finistère)
- Bagad Arvorizion Karnag (Carnac, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Aùel Douar (Malestroit, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Avel Dro / Pagan (Guissény, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Avel Mor (Roanne, 42 Loire) (in French)
- Bagad Avel Vor (Le Havre, 76 Seine-Maritime) (in French)
- Bagad Beuzeg ar C'hab (Beuzec-Cap-Sizun, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Bleidi Kamorh (Camors, 56 Morbihan)
- Bagad Blious (Saint-Denis, 93 Seine-Saint-Denis) (in French)
- Bagad Boulvriag (Bourbriac, 22 Côtes-d'Armor) (in French)
- Bagad Brieg (Briec, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Bro Felger (Fougères, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine). (in French)
- Bagad Bro Foën (Fouesnant, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Bro Kemperle (Quimperlé, 29 Finistère)
- Bagad Cap Caval (Plomeur, 29 Finistère)
- Bagad Dalc'h Mat (Athis-Mons, 91 Essonne) (in French)
- Bagad de Rhuys (Presqu'île de Rhuys, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Douar ha Mor (La Richardais, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine) (in French)
- Bagad Douarnenez (Douarnenez, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Elven (Elven, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Eostiged ar Mene (Plomodiern, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Gwengamp (Guingamp, 22 Côtes-d'Armor) (in French)
- Bagad Kadoudal (Vern-sur-Seiche, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine) (in French)
- Bagad Karaez (Carhaix, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Karukéra (Karukéra, 971 Guadeloupe). (in French)
- Bagad Kastellgeron (Châteaugiron, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine) (in French)
- Bagad Kelc'h Keltieg Kombrid (Combrit, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Kemper (Quimper, 29 Finistère)
- Bagad Ker Vourdel (Bordeaux, 33 Gironde)
- Bagad Kerhor (Le Relecq-Kerhuon, 29 Finistère). (in French)
- Bagad Keriz (Clichy, 92 Hauts-de-Seine) (in French)
- Bagad Kerlenn Pondi (Pontivy, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Kizavel (Mundolsheim, 67 Bas-Rhin) (in French)
- Bagad Konk Kerne (Concarneau, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Landerné (Landerneau, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Landi (Landivisiau, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Locminé (Locminé, 56 Morbihan). (in French)
- Bagad Marionick Bro ar Faoued (Le Faouët, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Melen Ha Gwenn (Crécy-La-Chapelle, 77 Seine-et-Marne). (in French)
- Bagad Melinerion (Vannes, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Men Glaz (Trélazé, 49 Maine-et-Loire). (in French)
- Bagad Naoned (Nantes, 44 Loire-Atlantique) (in French)
- Bagad Nominoë (Saint Nicholas de Redon, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine) (in French)
- Bagad Nozeganed Bro Porh Loeiz (Port-Louis, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Orvez (Orvault, 44 Loire-Atlantique). (in French)
- Bagad Pañvrid ar Beskont (Pommerit-le-Vicomte, 22 Côtes-d'Armor)
- Bagad Pariz Ti ar Vretoned (Paris, 75 Paris) (in French)
- Bagad Pays des Abers (Plabennec, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Penhars (Quimper, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad Quic-en-Groigne (Saint-Malo, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine) (in French)
- Bagad Roñsed Mor (Locoal-Mendon, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Sant Brieg (Saint-Brieuc, 22 Côtes-d'Armor) (in French)
- Bagad Sant Ewan Bubri (Saint-Yves-Bubry, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Bagad Sant Nazer (Saint-Nazaire, 44 Loire-Atlantique) (in French)
- Bagad Sonerien Bro Dreger (Perros-Guirec, 22 Côtes-d'Armor) (in French)
- Bagad Sonerien Bro Montoulez (Morlaix, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Bagad War Zu an Oabl (Saint-Grégoire, 35 Ille-et-Vilaine) (in French)
- Kevrenn Alré (Auray, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Kevrenn An Arvorig (Saint Eloy, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Kevrenn An Daou Loupard (Vire-Saint Lô, 50 Manche) (in French)
- Kevrenn Brest Sant Mark (Brest, 29 Finistère)
- Kevrenn Kastell Paol (Saint-Pol de Léon, 29 Finistère) (in French)
- Sonerien An Oriant (Lorient, 56 Morbihan) (in French)
- Jean Baron et Christian Anneix, traditional Breton duo (bombarde and binou koz). (in French)
- Le BD Swing Orchestra, a merry cacophony of flutes, violins, accordions, bombard bagpipes and other instruments. (in French)
- Roland Becker, is one of the leading exponents of contemporary Celtic expression. He is known for his Celtic jazz, hid innovative pipe band music, his work with Alan Stivell, the re-forming of the National Breton Orchestra... From the highland pibroch to Charlie Parker, from 52nd Street blues to traditional clarinet groove, Becker breaks barriers and establishes a style one can only call "Becker". (in French)
- Beg Braz, Celtic rock. (in French)
- Black Label Zone, Celtic rock. (in French)
- Dominig Bouchaud, plays celtic harp. His music has taken him to the four corners of the globe...
- Bugale An Noz, Celtic Black Metal. (in French)
- Cap Horn, play old and new sea shanties on guitar, bass, bouzouki, bagpipes, irish flutes, accordeon and, of course, voices.
- Capstern, trad music (mainly sea shanties...) mixed with jazz, java or rock. (in French)
- Celdones, Celtic rock. (in French)
- Christian Huet et Celtet, Celtic fusion. (in French)
- Churchfitters, their energetic and festive show unites the rythms of rock and pop with the universal appeal of traditional music. Three explosive voices and the use of a dozen or so acoustic instruments allow them a rich musical language with which to express their varied programme of songs and melodies from Ireland, Scotland, Québec, England, USA and their own compositions.
- Cécile Corbel, her unique harp technique and her appealing young voice reveal a world encompassing ancient poems, original compositions, Celtic tunes and Mediterranean melodies. She takes you for a trip out of a time.
- Costard Ouate, Celtic music from Brittany and other countries. (in French)
- Deskomp, traditional Breton dance music. (in French)
- Diroll, traditional Breton music for fest-noz. (in French)
- Divarrek, traditional Breton dance music for fest-noz. (in French)
- Diwall, traditional Breton music. (in French)
- Dremmwel, from the Cornouaille area of Brittany, they have been playing their special brand of Breton music for the last 20 years. Their distinctive music is is performed the classic Breton couple of musicians, bombarde and binou kozh (René Marchand and Dominique Le Guichaoua), and completed by the celtic harp (Marin Lhopiteau), guitar (Daniel Cadiou) and percussions (Eric Savina).
- Dom Duff, plays traditional music ? Certainly, though Dom feels that this can be a restrictive definition . He prefers to use traditions of his region (Pagan country). Dom's songs are rooted in the culture, poetry, and politics of Brittany. Modern stories with images and the imagery of the past, but really actual.
- Duo Florez-Royer, an accordion for the dance, a guitar for the swing, a duo for the traditional fest-noz. (in French)
- Emsaverien, six young people who review the Breton repertoire by adding a more electric touch while respecting the dancing tradition.
- Les EV, play an inventive, novel, powerful and energetic rock. They mix the modernity and the tradition.
- Filaj, plays for concerts and fest-noz. Quite jazzy. (in French)
- Follenn, fest-noz music from Vannes. (in French)
- Les Frères Cornic, young traditional Breton duo (bombarde and binou koz). (in French)
- Job Fulup, is one of very rare players of Celtic Harp who learnt exclusively by an oral way as a traditional ethnic musician. He plays Irish, Scottish and Breton pieces and several compositions, some of which follow traditional forms, other of which are improvisational in nature.
- Gargouilles, they mix rock, Celtic traditionals, and some "standard" with plenty of humour.
- Green Pigs, is a trio playing Irish and Breton music. (in French)
- Frères Guichen, a virtuoso accordionist (Fred) and a guitarist (Jean-Charles), sometimes rhythm guitar, sometimes lead guitar, but even fast. They played with Ar Re Yaouank:
- Gwenc'hlan, Celtic Rock.
- Gwenfol Orchestra, Breizh-Ethno-Funk inspired by traditional by traditional Breton music. (in French)
- Hamon Martin Quintet, new arrangements for traditional fest-noz music. (in French)
- Hiraez, invite you to discover their varied repertoire of Big Ballads, lighter songs and instrumentals drawns from the traditions of the Celtic countries from Ireland and Wales to America and Brittany.
- Régis Huiban, plays a mix of traditional Breton music and new compositions with a jazzy flavour. (in French)
- Jacal, is first and foremost the coming together of two duos from the fest-noz movement. The Jacal sound is the fruit of a search for authenticity which invites the listener and the dancer to a joyful ramble through both Western Brittany (the Breton-speaking part) and Eastern Brittany (the 'Pays Gallo', the Gallo and French-speaking part).
- Karma, a young traditional Breton music group:
- Kasadenn, traditional music from Highland and Lowland Brittany, in particular from the Saint-Brieuc region and Penthièvre. (in French)
- Kendon, traditional dance music from highland and lowland Brittany. (in French)
- Katé-Mé, with a little bit of rock and some jazz, this group bring new swing to the traditional music from Haute Bretagne. (in French)
- Yann Fañch Kemener, is one of the best traditional singers today. He established himself as a true musical ethnology specialist towards "kan ha diskan" and "gwerz" traditions and took part in a very effective way to the singing revival in Brittany. His singing is deeply rooted in a family tradition that he developped through many albums in which he recorded some of the songs he grew up with. (in French)
- Kendirvi, is a young group playing traditional Breton music. (in French)
- Gwenael Kerleo, plays the Celtic harp.
- Klaskerien, traditional Breton music. (in French)
- Kornog, a four man group composed of the most respected traditional musicians from Brittany playing an intriguing combination of Irish and Breton styles, and Kornog's elaborate arrangements bring out all its of its primal, haunting beauty. Their repertoire also includes Scottish ballads, as well as original instrumental pieces written in the Breton tradition.
- Korventenn, traditional Breton and Irish music. (in French)
- Kroazhent, coming from Brittany and Paris, the band wishes to create a new sound, perfect harmony between traditionnal celtic music and rock & roll concept. Adding bass, drums and electric guitars to traditionnal instruments, for a great sound.
- Pascal Lamour, traditional Breton piper. (in French)
- Land's End, electrified Breton tradition. (in French)
- Luskañ, traditional Breton music for fest-noz. (in French)
- Erik Marchand, with this famous kan ha diskan singer and clarinet player you will cross the borders of music: when Breton tradition meets Eastern European sounds. (in French)
- Matmatah, "orientalo-breizhou-pop-rock".(in French)
- Menestra, young "fest-noz" band. (in French)
- Merzhin, Breton folk-rock. (in French)
- Patrick Molard, is considered worldwide as one of the best specialists of the Scottish bagpipe. He took part in the most prestigious Breton formations of these thirty last years. (in French)
- Myrdhin, is considered to be one of the most eminent traditionnel performers in the Breton tradition and one of the actor of the Celtic Harp revival in Brittany during the 70's. He has a wide panel of musical styles: from the storytelling to the Afro Celt Sound System unique fusion, from his wonderful 'Harp & Bamboo' album in duo with Pol Huellou to his 'Duo Ars Celtica' albums where he performs beside his wife also playing the harp. (in French)
- Niou Bardophones, the American music meets the Breton rhythms, with respects for the traditional forms. Bombard and the bagpipes sometimes play together (traditional duo), sometimes as two soloists. All four members of the quartet are fine singers. (in French)
- Pat O'May, Celtic rock. (in French)
- Eric Ollu, traditional music player from Britanny, instrument maker (binious, bombardes and baroque oboes) and teacher.
- Ouf! La Puce, break the boundaries between different musical style. (in French)
- Alain Pennec, the combination of fine traditional tunes and original compositions in a relaxed atmosphere makes his recordings the ideal occasion to discover Celtic music at its best.
- Penn Gollo, traditional fest-noz music. (in French)
- Yann-Fañch Perroches, is really one of the finest masters of the diatonic accordion. He is probably best known as being the accordion player of Skolvan, but he is also a composer.
- Pipelodenn, all-woman fest-noz group. (in French)
- Potes Flor', accordion duo composed by Florence Glorion and Florence Pinvidic, playing traditional Breton music and original compositions.
- Les Ravageous, a fest-noz from Central Brittany. (in French)
- Red Cardell's original idea was to blend Breton music, punk rock and French realistic songs, these being their early influences but other styles such as Electro, Eastern Europe, South American and North African eventually crept into the general sound.
- Dominique Riviere, Celtic guitarist specialized in Irish. Scottish and Breton music, as well as music from Balkans. (in French)
- Arnaud Royer, traditional guitar player from Brittany. Plays with Kendon and many groups. (in French)
- Run, Celtic tradition and new sounds from Africa, South America, jazz. (in French)
- Soïg Siberil, is one of the best known guitarists of Brittany as well as one of the specialists of Open Tuning.
- Skeduz, totally committed to the revival, they are not content just 'to be', they create. From traditional themes to compositions, they embrace the genuine strength of Breton music. (in French)
- Skirienn, traditional Breton music trio. (in French)
- Sklerijenn, is a fest-noz band, which repertory is mainly composed of dances from west and east Brittany and personal compositions.
- Skolvan, deeply rooted in the tradition, Skolvan is today the one of the best folk dance band Brittany has to offer.
- Sonerien Du, 25 years old existence and about twenty "used" musicians, more than 3000 performances, more than 300,000 miles on the European roads... (in French)
- Dider Squiban, outstanding pianist, arranger and composer, Didier Squiban is equally renowned as the director of his jazz orchestra. His musical work is the happy combination of traditional Breton music, jazz improvisation and classical romanticism. He reveals in this alchemy an exceptional talent:
- Startijenn, traditional Breton music. (in French)
- Alan Stivell, THE father of the folk revival...
- Strobinell, traditional music for fest-noz and concerts. (in French)
- Tan Ba'n Ty, is in line with the tradition, but the band's musical colour is in tune with its time.
- Targas, mix rock, hard-rock and progressive metal with traditional Celtic music. (in French).
- Telenn Dall, traditional Breton music. (in French)
- Ti Jaz, is the story of a meeting between traditional musicians and jazz to create a new sound. (in French)
- Torkad, their 3-member setup provides a significant degree of freedom regarding the interpretation of the tunes, in which melody and complex rythm variations can be fully expressed, so that breton tunes self-contained energy is well highlighted. All the songs are sung in the breton language as the repertoire mostly contains traditionnal tunes from Low-Britanny, as well as traditionnal style compositions.
- Tri Bleiz Die, Celtic rock from Nantes. (in French)
- Tri Yann, was founded in 1971 by Jean Chocun, Jean-Paul Corbineau and Jean-Louis Jossic, still members. As the best known Celtic band in France Tri Yann is one of the longest-standing Breton music groups surviving from the folk-rock revival of the 1970s. (in French).
- Les Trompettes du Mozambique, is a crazy group of 16 musicians mixing traditional gavottes, jazz-rock, reggae, TV music... . (in French)
- TUD, since 1990 have animated numerous festivals in the West of Brittany. Their repertoire consists mainly of Breton dance music, but toward new direction and dimension. Keeping some of their old very traditional sounds, during the years they added some contemporary, jazz,... influences. (in French)
Top
Bulgaria
- Balkanfolk, catalogue for Bulgarian folk groups, musicians, artists, MP3 samples. Folklore workshop - dance, music, song. Musical instruments shop - gaida, kaval, gadoulka, tambura, tapan, etc.
- Gaida - Sights and Sounds of Bulgaria , promote the Bulgarian culture and tradition around the world by means of streaming multimedia content representing the best creations of the Bulgarian artistic spirit throughout the ages.
- The Bisserov Sisters, their repertoire includes the most typical features of the musical folklore dialect of the Pirin region, as well as song from different folk regions of Bulgaria.
- Ensemble Bistritsa, has been established since 1949 in village of Bistritsa. It comprises singers, dancers and musicians. The main goal of the ensemble is to explore, keep and make popular the rich folklore heritage of village Bistritsa and Shop's region. The repertoire of the singers includes over 300 folk songs, performed in the characteristic manner of antiphonal singing in groups of four, while the orchestra consists of traditional musical instruments. In the program prevail manly horo-leading and ritual melodies with all the richness of Bulgarian rhythmic. Besides the even-measure tunes in 2/4 times, there are tunes in the uneven-measures 7/8, 5/16 and 11/16.
- Ensemble Bulgari, presents authentic interpretations of Bulgarian folk music, a rich and soulful musical tradition that reflects old world village life and the intermingling of cultures in the Balkan Peninsula through the centuries.
- Ivanka Ivanova's repertoire includes innumerable (over 1,000) authentic Bulgarian folklore songs, sung with elements of rock, pop, Balkan rap and techno.
- Koukery, established in 1982, is a chamber formation of 9-20 people, who sing, dance and play the rich folk traditions of Bulgarian culture around the world on traditional instruments.
- Lot Lorien, creates its own style influenced by Balkan and European folklore, new-age, jazz, progessive rock and pop music.
Top
|