Youenn Gwernig

Brito-American Bard, Author, Sculptor, Poet, Interpreter born and raised in Brittany. Born 5 october 1925 in Scaër, Brittany. Died 29 august 2006 in Douarnenez, Brittany. Youenn learned during his teenage years music with the traditionnal instruments of Brittany, bombarde and binioù koz,then came to learn the scottish bagpipe. He became a "sonerien", playing in duo at celebrations and then joining the bagad of Kemper. A decade after the second world war ended, he teamed with Glennmor into a band. At that period, singing in Breton was told by the french "inteligencia" as a disgrace, and went to be molested after some gigs. Youenn decided it was necessary to emmigrate, and landed in New York City, were he worked in different small jobs, spending his days in West-Side. He befriended with Jack Kerouac, which was in search for his own Breton roots. He established in the Bronx where he lived 12 years, also being naturalised Citizen of the United States. During the seventies, Youenn Gwernig came back to Brittany, a salad bowl of styles under his hands, he started to record folk song mixing Breton and English poetry, and energic tempos. He was a fierce defender of Breton culture.