Youenn Le Bihan (« piston », bombard, biniou)

Musician born at Ergué-Gabéric in 1954. Bombard sonneur from his childhood, at first in the Bagad Kemper of the Kevrenn C’HLAZIG, and then sonneur in pairs.

Really soon considered as one of the best young sonneur from the Cornouaille (a region in Britanny), many times winner of contests of sonneurs in pairs, in all lands and with different partners (Jean Baron, André Thomas, Bruno Le Rouzic, Gaby Kerdoncuff, Jean Paul Scordia, Patrick Molard …). He was many times champion of britanny, member of the group GWERZ, founded in 1981, with Erik Marchand, Soïg Sibéril, Jacky et Patrick Molard. They released two albums, went on tour in Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Danemark, the Netherlands, and also get the Prize of the Academie Charles Cros (of great reputation in france) for their first album.

He took part in many creations during the festivals of Lorient, Quimper and Rennes.He played on the different albums of BARZAZ, and went on tour with them in Greece.

Music teacher at the Regional Conservatoire of traditional music (Ploemeur, Dptmt 56) from 1981 to 1985. Collectage with DASTUM BRO KERNE, DESPUGNERIEN BRO GLAZIK. In charge of training courses, about the bombard, the coz bagpipes, the “piston” and the making of reeds, in Britanny : La Chapelle Neuve (22), the Center Amzer Nevez in Ploemeur (56), the ENM (National Music School) of Quimper (29). He was also in charge of training courses, in England, in Germany, in LIBAN, in Centers for cultural animation and reading.

Composer of many dancing themes famous in Britanny, his advice are in great demand among the musicians.

Founder member of SKOLVAN in 1984, they recorded 5 albums, went on tour in Belgium, Germany, Danemark, Spain, Italy and Wales.

In 1997, Bernard LE DREAU, saxophonist (baritone, tenor, alto, soprano) joins the groups. Thanks to his « bluesman » experience and Youenn Le Bihan’s own experience, the dynamic and creative duet constitutes the mainspring of the group into its new form, to which they give this sonorous touch.

SKOLVAN works on the melody, the harmony, the rhytmics, the improvisation, the orchestration while respecting the traditional Breton music. Their last CD, dated from 2000, is the result of this new processes, with a new sound, a new repertoire, a musical writing that combines traditonal Breton music and jazz through the creation of the SKOLVAN BIG BAND.
Instrument-making fanatic, he makes for himself and a few friends some instruments of high quality. In 1983 he creates a new instrument : the “piston”, inspired by the baroque oboe, which tone gives all its originality and “colours” to SKOLVAN.

Discography