Mickaël Derrien, the rascal saxophonist of the group Ampouailh who released “Dasson” their new album

You saw them this summer at the Cornouaille Festival in Quimper or at the Interceltic Festival in Lorient, the group Ampouailh is celebrating this Friday, October 28 the release of its 4th album “Dasson”. One of the 5 “scamps” of the fest-noz group founded in 2004, Mickaël Derrien – the saxophonist from Laniscat (22) evokes new resonances (dasson in Breton) music from his formation born in Fañch country in central Brittany and which has hosted the violinist from Locmiquélic (56) Yuna Léon for 2 years, who composes on the title “Serr-noz”.

“Dasson” contains a largely traditional plinn suite enriched by the contribution of Simon Lotout (bombardes). A terroir always in the spotlight for Ampouailh, since the members of the group come from Laniscat, Sainte-Tréphine (22), Canihuel (22) and they have created a new professional structure, Tud Yaouank in Saint-Nicolas du Pelem. But the 11 instrumental titles of the album are mainly compositions of the groupnotably from the hand of guitarist Heikki Bourgault (waltz, circles, polka…) or the haunting-dro “Gwagenn” written with saxophonist Mickaël Derrien who also signs “Skañv”, a mazurka dedicated to his children.

We also find on this 4th album two melodies to listen to like the gwerz “Ar paour” that Élodie Botrel sang and which was in the repertoire of Yann-Fañch Kemener, who had had the opportunity to sing with Ampouailh, but also “An Universite”, a militant melody from the Fisel country by Maodez Kerjean, geologist, dancer and singer from Rostrenen (22) disappeared in 2021, who defended the creation of a university in Central Brittany.

Ampouailh celebrates the release of his album “Dasson” at the Salle Ti ar Pelem at 9 p.m. this Friday, October 28, 2022 in Saint-Nicolas-du-Pelem (22) with the duo Ewen Couriaut (Saxophone) and Thibault Lotout (diatonic accordion and founder of Ampouailh), Loened Fall, Piel-Morice (flute and accordion) and Plantec. The group will be in fest-noz in Quimperlé on Saturday October 29 with Ruz Réor, Bagad Bro Kemperle and for the fest-noz of Samain on October 31 in Mauron (56).