Louise Ebrel facts for kids
Louise Ebrel (born July 27, 1932 – died March 30, 2020) was a famous singer from Brittany, a region in France. Her parents, Eugénie Goadec (one of the well-known Goadec Sisters) and Job Ebrel, were also singers. Louise Ebrel was known for singing traditional Breton songs. These songs were often for dancing, called kan ha diskan, or for listening, known as gwerz.
Early Life and Musical Roots
Louise Ebrel was born in a town called Treffrin in the Côtes-du-Nord area, which is now known as Côtes d'Armor. Growing up, she was surrounded by music because her family was deeply involved in Breton singing traditions. This helped her learn many old songs and develop her unique singing style.
Singing Traditional Breton Music
Louise Ebrel was a master of kan ha diskan, a special type of Breton singing. In kan ha diskan, two singers take turns singing short phrases, often for dancing. One singer leads, and the other follows, creating a lively rhythm. She also sang gwerz, which are longer, more serious songs that tell stories or express feelings. These traditional songs were a big part of her performances.
Collaborations with Other Artists
Louise Ebrel loved to sing with other musicians. From 1991 to 2006, she often performed with the singer and poet Denez Prigent. They sang together as a duo or with his band.
Since 1996, she frequently sang kan ha diskan with Ifig Flatrès at fest-noz events. A fest-noz is a traditional Breton festival where people gather to dance to live music.
Later in her career, starting in 2006, Louise Ebrel began performing with different kinds of bands. She sang with the punk group Les Ramoneurs de menhirs and the rock band Red Cardell. She also joined the ensemble The Celtic Social Club, which started in 2014. These collaborations showed her ability to blend traditional Breton singing with modern music styles.
