Biography:

Érik Marchand (2 October 1955 – 30 October 2025) was a French traditional singer and player of the treujenn-gaol (Breton clarinet). Although born in Paris, his family were of Breton origin, hailing from Quelneuc, Brittany.[1]

Influenced by the music of Manuel Kerjean, Marchand moved to his family’s homeland and studied traditional music and the Breton language. He became deeply involved with traditional Breton singing, including the gwerz, a traditional lament. In the 1980s he helped form a traditional music group called Gwerz (band) [fr] which released three albums. In the 1980s he also began to collaborate with oudist Thierry Robin, producing a fusion of Celtic and Arabic motifs influenced by jazz.

Marchand died on 30 October 2025 at the age of 70.[2]

Credits: