Dan Ar Bras

The apprenticeship years

Daniel Le Bras was born in Quimper in Brittany, France in 1949. At the age of 13 he owned his first guitar. He modelled himself on The Shadows, then Bob Dylan then Jimi Hendrix. Daniel's father insisted that he study catering instead of music. In 1967, while on a catering course in Bonodet he met Alan Stivell who invited him to join his group. The Alan Stivell group embraced Breton, Scottish and Irish music, and included Gabriel Yacoub who later formed Malicorne. After a successful tour in France in 1971 they travelled around Europe, North America and Australia. Alan's father had made a reconstruction of the ancient Breton harp in 1953 and Alan learned to play the harp, bagpipes and Irish flute. Daniel Le Bras changed his name to Dan Ar Bras to show that he belonged to Breton culture rather than French. His electric guitar made an exciting mix with Alan's traditional instruments.

Dan as a soloist

In 1972 he formed his own group called Mor. Compared to Stivell's group, this was middle-of-the-road (MOR) and broke up shortly after recording one album. A solo album of Irish jigs and reels followed, but was not commercially successful. In 1976 he relocated to England and joined Fairport Convention. He changed his name again, this time to Dan Ar Braz. For about a year he played in concerts with Fairport but did not record any studio albums with them. The experience renewed his confidence. He returned to Brittany to record three solo albums in three years, each one using Celtic music. He sang in Breton, French and English. By this time he was making sales in the USA.

The eighties

For several years Dan Ar Braz seemed to turn his back on Celtic music. In 1981 he toured Europe with his "Acoustic" album, a subdued collection of instrumentals, written by himself. He then joined a blues-rock trio. Between 1984 and 1987 he toured the United States over a dozen times. By the time he recorded "Musiques pour les silences à venir" in 1985, he was being described as "New Age". After another instrumental album, he surprised everyone by recording a collection of songs in English - "Songs" (1990). Most were written by him plus one each by Richard Thompson and Donovan. He teamed up with John Kirkpatrick to record a film score in 1992.

Héritage des Celtes

Dan Ar Braz's greatest moment occurred in 1992 when the organiser of the Festival de Cornouailles in Quimper asked him to create a live show uniting traditional music with modern styles. Dan had many contacts in Britain France and America and delivered beyond all expectations. Donal Lunny came from Ireland, Karen Matheson from Scotland, and Bagad Kemper (7 bagpipers) from France. Altogether 75 musicians were involved. The group, called "L'Héritage des Celtes" performed at the Quimper festival in July 1993 then went on to Rennes in 1994. A hugely successful studio recording recreated the show. It sold 100,000 copies in over ten countries. A live album followed. His fame within France was so great that in 1996 he represented France in the 41st Eurovision Song Contest.

Finisterres

In 1997 he recorded "Finisterres" using "L'Héritage des Celtes" and sold another 100,000 copies. The music awards ceremony "Victories de la Musique" awarded him "Best Traditional Music Album" in 1998. They went on tour in France and played at Le Zenith in Paris on St Patrick's Day to 3,000 fans. In August 2000 the group played at the "Festival Interceltique" in Lorient where he announced that it would be the final concert.

Return to solo work

Much to the disappointment of many fans, Dan Ar Braz returned to solo work. "Le mémoire des volets" (2001) is a tribute to deceased friends from his childhood. It is an instrumental nostalgic piece. Clearly Dan has two very different sides - the personal and the public. He performed in another huge show at the Stade de France on St Patrick's Day 2002. He has a huge catalogue of recorded works.

discography

• - Stations (?1974)
• - Irish Reels, Jigs, Airs & Hornpipes (c 1975)
• - Douar Nevez (1977)
• - Allez dire à la ville (1978)
• - The Earth's Lament (1979)
• - Acoustic (1981)
• - Music For the Silences To Come (1985)
• - Septembre Bleu (1988)
• - Songs (1990)
• - Frontiers de sel/Borders Of Salt (1991)
• - Les Iles de la memoire: Compilation (1992)
• - Rêve de Siam (OST) (1992)
• - Xavier Grall chante par Dan Ar Bras (1992)
• - Theme For The Green Lands (1994)
• - Kindred Spirit (1995)
• - L'Heritages des Celtes (1995)
• - L'Heritages des Celtes Live (1997)
• - Finisterres (1997)
• - L'Essential en 3 CD (? 1998)
• - Septembre Bleu (2000)
• - Zenith (2001)
• - La Memoire Des Volets Blancs (2001)
• - Made in Briezh (2002)
• - Celtiques (2003)
• - A Toi Et Ceux (2004)