Denez Prigent (Breton pronunciation: [ˈdáº½Ë nes ˈpriË Ê'ẽn(t)];
born 17 February 1966 in Santec, Finistère) is a Breton folk
singer-songwriter of the gwerz and kan ha diskan styles of Breton
music. From his debut at the age of 16, he was known for singing
traditional songs a cappella, and has moved on to singing his own
songs with techno music accompaniments. He has performed in France as
well as internationally and has recorded seven studio and two live
albums.During his childhood, Prigent lived with his father in Le
Relecq-Kerhuon and spent his weekends at his grandmother's, in Santec.
His father, a primary teacher, raised him speaking French, although he
spoke Breton fluently, because he did not see the point in teaching
Breton to his son. Denez thus discovered the Breton language at his
grandmother's, along with its natural harmony and the tendency of
Breton speakers of that time to sing written or improvised songs.
While in secondary in Brest he preferred listening to Breton songs on
his portable audio player than concentrating on his studies.At age 14,
Prigent was taught kan ha diskan by Alain Leclère, himself a former
student of Manuel Kerjean, whose other students include Erik Marchand.
Two years later, in 1982, he sang with Alain Leclère in festoù-noz.
In the Kan ar Bobl, he won the first prize in kan ha diskan in 1987,
the first prize in new singing in 1988 and the first prize in
traditional singing in 1990.
born 17 February 1966 in Santec, Finistère) is a Breton folk
singer-songwriter of the gwerz and kan ha diskan styles of Breton
music. From his debut at the age of 16, he was known for singing
traditional songs a cappella, and has moved on to singing his own
songs with techno music accompaniments. He has performed in France as
well as internationally and has recorded seven studio and two live
albums.During his childhood, Prigent lived with his father in Le
Relecq-Kerhuon and spent his weekends at his grandmother's, in Santec.
His father, a primary teacher, raised him speaking French, although he
spoke Breton fluently, because he did not see the point in teaching
Breton to his son. Denez thus discovered the Breton language at his
grandmother's, along with its natural harmony and the tendency of
Breton speakers of that time to sing written or improvised songs.
While in secondary in Brest he preferred listening to Breton songs on
his portable audio player than concentrating on his studies.At age 14,
Prigent was taught kan ha diskan by Alain Leclère, himself a former
student of Manuel Kerjean, whose other students include Erik Marchand.
Two years later, in 1982, he sang with Alain Leclère in festoù-noz.
In the Kan ar Bobl, he won the first prize in kan ha diskan in 1987,
the first prize in new singing in 1988 and the first prize in
traditional singing in 1990.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.