Geraint Jarman
Geraint Jarman | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | 1950 (age 73–74) |
Origin | Cardiff, Wales |
Genres | Folk, post punk, reggae, rock, ska |
Occupation(s) | Musician, poet, television producer |
Years active | 1967–present |
Labels | Sain, ankstmusic |
Geraint Jarman (born 1950 in Denbigh) is a Welsh musician, poet and television producer whose career dates back to the early years of Welsh popular music. He has recorded many albums as a solo artist and with his band Geraint Jarman a'r Cynganeddwyr.
Career
[edit]Jarman grew up in Cardiff and his career began in the 1960s as a poet and composer, writing for Heather Jones .[1] He was a member of Y Bara Menyn with Jones and Meic Stevens before establishing himself as a solo artist.[1] He also wrote "Y Brawd Houdini", one of Stevens' most popular recordings. He introduced genres such as reggae into Welsh music and released many albums as a solo artist and with his band as Geraint Jarman a'r Cynganneddwyr (Geraint Jarman and the Poets, referring to the cynghanedd techniques of formal Welsh poetry), his first album (Gobaith Mawr y Ganrif) released in 1976 by Sain.[1][2] In the late 1970s he was championed by John Peel who introduced him to a wider audience through his BBC Radio 1 show.
Gruff Rhys, in the liner notes of the Welsh Rare Beat album, paid tribute to Jarman's influence, stating "Jarman helped to sever ties with Celtic folk and serve as a bridge to a new wave of post punk/post Sain Welsh language artists in the 1980s and beyond who had a less self-conscious relationship with their Welsh identity."[3] The BBC described him as the "father of Welsh rock".[4]
Jarman co-produced the S4C television show Fideo 9, which gave important exposure to a later generation of Welsh bands.[1][5] He has also had several volumes of poetry published, including Cerbyd Cydwybod (2012, Gomer Press).
Personal life
[edit]Jarman is married to actress Nia Caron, with whom he has two daughters, Hanna and Mared; Mared, the couple's youngest daughter, is an actress living with Stargardt disease.[6] Jarman also has a daughter, Lisa, from his first marriage to Heather Jones.[7]
His autobiography, Twrw Jarman, was published in 2011.
Discography
[edit]- Gobaith Mawr y Ganrif (1976), Sain
- Tacsi i'r Tywyllwch (1977), Sain
- Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (1978), Sain
- Gwesty Cymru (1979), Sain
- Fflamau'r Ddraig (1980), Sain
- Diwrnod i'r Brenin (1981), Sain
- Macsen (1983), Sain
- Enka (1985), Sain
- Taith y Carcharorion (1986), Sain - Geraint Jarman & Maffia Mr Huws
- Rhiniog (1992), Ankstmusic
- Y Ceubal Y Crossbar A'r Quango (1994), Ankstmusic
- Eilydd Na Ddefnyddiwyd / Sub Not Used (1998), Sain
- Môrladron (2002), Sain
- Pirates (2002)
- Brecwast Astronot (2011), Ankstmusic
- Dwyn yr Hogyn Nol (2014)
- Cariad Cwantwm (2018)
- Compilations
- Goreuon Geraint Jarman A'r Cynganeddwyr - Cyfrol 1 (1991), Sain
- Atgof fel angor (2008), Sain - 15CD retrospective
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Hill, Sarah (2007) 'Blerwytirhwng?' the Place of Welsh Pop Music, Ashgate, ISBN 978-0754658986, p. 67, 76, 124, 126
- ^ Koch, John T. (2006) Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO Ltd., ISBN 978-1851094400, p. 1769
- ^ Rhys, Gruff (2005) Welsh Rare Beat liner notes, Finders Keepers Records
- ^ "Geraint Jarman", BBC (in Welsh). Retrieved 15 February 2014
- ^ Owens, David (2000) Cerys, Catatonia And The Rise Of Welsh Pop, Ebury Press, ISBN 978-0091874124
- ^ "Disability and sex is still a taboo, says Mared Jarman". BBC News. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ Mainwaring, Rachel (2013) "Living with Stargardst disease: How a Welsh woman is determined to live life to the full despite her deteriorating eyesight", Wales Online, 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014