Jim Rowlands born 27/01/1972, is a Welsh singer, who lives in Loyat, Brittany, France, where he is also a town councillor in the opposition .[1][2] He toured France over the last 30 years almost non-stop, promoting Wales and its music and culture in countless festivals, such as L'interceltique de lorient and Printemps de Bourges, and concerts, such as at Stade de France and Cirque Bouglione.[3]
He played principally solo, with harpist Hywel John and with Mirrorfield who notably opened for Deep Purple and toured South Korea.[citation needed]
Rowlands also recorded many albums of his own brand of Welsh Celtic songs, most notably Gobaith in 1999 on the SMC label and Pasbort in 2001,[1] which was released in Wales on SAIN, and which contains the single "Cysgu Tawel" (a quiet sleep).
In recent years all of his albums have been remastered and rereleased. Stranded 2015 and The Night Watchmen 2017 are notable. His most enduringly popular song is And I've Seen.
His music has played on at least one English-language BBC radio show in 2004,[4] and the Cymru (Welsh) BBC lists him as a featured artist.[5]
Rowlands wrote and performed the background music for The Naked Isle, a documentary about British prisoners of war.[6] He has two daughters: Alys and Catrin Rowlands
Now aged 52,[when?] he has taken a back-seat from touring and live performance and although still releases music and albums, has turned his hand to writing novels, poetry and short stories, as well as one play.
On Saturday 18th march of 2023 Rowlands sang the Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau to 80 000 people on the field of play at the Stade de France before the France v Wales 6 Nations game.
References
edit- ^ a b Tony Trainor (24 May 2002). "Supporters rally to save Welsh cultural oasis from debt". Western Mail.
- ^ "Arts: Rowlands plays at home". Western Mail. 21 May 2002.
- ^ Nèves, Corinne (16 October 2004). "Toute la musique du monde en Seine-Saint-Denis". Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ^ Celtic Heartbeat Playlist for 9 December 2006, found at BBC website. Accessed 7 October 2010.
- ^ "Bandiau ac artistiaid," Cymru BBC, n.d. "Cysylltiadau i fandiau ac artistiaid ...." (Translates as "Links to bands and artists".) Found at Cymru BBC website. Accessed 7 October 2010.
- ^ See FEPOW Community website and FEPOW Day website. Both accessed 7 October 2010.
External links
edit- Jim Rowlands home page
- Sarah Louise, "Llanast llwyr, ond mae hynny n beth da yn yr achos hwn," at The Free Library (in Welsh)