SOUNDS
Samples from unmixed recording sessions.
Take 6 - Ridée 6 temps
Pilé Menu - Ti Couz (evit Sylvie)
QUEEN AMANN BRETON MUSIC SEATTLE WA
Tradiboudibe - Pach Pi
An Deiziou Kaer - Hanter Dro
Mari Bonbon - Andro
Percolateur - Ronds de Landéda
IMAGES
PLAY MUSIC WITH US!
We’re musicians based in Seattle, WA who play Breton Fest Noz (Night Party) music, with a dose of jazz, rock, and other sounds. While it’s a traditional genre with a characteristic mood and feel (which we love), Fest Noz is an ideal platform for expression, composition, and experimentation. In that light we’re pretty far down the rabbit hole in creating complex, deeply imaginative takes on the genre.
We/you are: a solid musician, friendly, inquisitive, relatively disciplined, interested in performing and recording. We work along these lines: everyone pulls their weight musically, and respect, kindness, and professional honesty are the norm. Jazz & rock chops a plus. You’d typically begin as a guest and the relationship could develop from there.
What instruments: Just about any instrument that could hold their own in a jazz, rock, klezmer, or balkan combo…
Breton music: Not familiar? We have a downloadable playlist of genre material - just ask.
Scores: We develop scores (with sound files) using MuseScore, which is free and available for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
NEWS
glaz: MIXING & MASTERING
The mixing and mastering of our first CD, glaz, is well underway by ARogue Story (AKA Chris Wadsworth). This recording features a trio of chromatic accordion, electric bass, and woodwind.
HIATUS
One of our main woodwind instruments is out of commission for lengthy, extensive repairs and one of our band members is currently working six days a week, so we’re taking a break from gigs.
WELCOME CHRIS WADSWORTH!
Our friend Chris Wadsworth (Pronounces name BURT RE-neldz) is really helping us out, energetically taking on bass and recording studio duties.
WE’RE INTERESTED IN EXPANDING THE BAND
To learn more click HERE.
INVITÉS GREAT AND SMALL
The band currently has two full-time members and a small group of invited contributors ranging from almost-full-time to occasional. With the time-honored Breton duo format as the heart of the band, we work with high-quality musical collaborators at whatever quantity is mutually agreeable; from a guest on a single recording track or one tune in a performance to part- or even full-time band members. Pictured in the early 20th century image above, bass player and studio wiz Chris Wadsworth showcases his incredible versatility by performing long before he was born!
SONA GREENBERG
(Chromatic Accordion, Fender Rhodes Piano) spent years as a jazz pianist and symphonic oboist but found the accordion in her group The Splendour Girls. Her musicianship and phenomenal talent with composition and arrangement are essential ingredients in our sound.
RON REED
(tarogato, bombard, clarinet) plays the bombard (the powerful Breton oboe); the tarogato, a single-reed instrument that beautifully combines aspects of the sax and the oboe; and the ‘treujenn gaol’ or clarinet. Ron’s sound has been inspired by masters such as Jean-Claude Petit, Youenn Le Bihan, Dumitru Fărcaș, and Olivier Urvoy.
ABOUT US / AR STROLLAD
Queen Amann performs Fest Noz (Night Party) music with daring and imagination. We are passionate about creating intense, beautiful, noteworthy music. ‘Queen Amann’ is a light-hearted bilingual pun on the delicious Breton pastry ‘kouign amann’ (butter cake), inspired by a humorous ad for a Breton language class. The duo at the heart of the band, Sona Greenberg (chromatic accordion) and Ron Reed (Woodwinds), are joined by invités on performances and recordings.
Queen Amann est un phénomène atypique dans le monde de la musique bretonne. Peu connue aux États-Unis, la musique bretonne est généralement interprétée de manière superficielle ou comme du « cosplay celtique ». Spécialisés dans le festoù-noz, nous jouons un répertoire de musique traditionnelle et composée, aux arrangements sophistiqués et puissants.
Queen Amann zo ur strollad divoas e bed sonerezh Breizh. Dre ma n'eo ket gwall vrudet sonerezh Breizh en Amerika, ne vez ket sonet alies gant an nebeud strolladoù a anavez anezhi. Ar sonerezh-se eo plad pennañ ar Queen Amann, ha kempouezañ a reont o tonioù gant soutilded ha nerzh. Degas a reont da soñj ez eo ken pouezus ha ken liesseurt sonerezh Breizh ha doareoù sonerezh a zo brudet er bed a-bezh, evel ar rock pe ar jazz.
Queen Amann performs Fest Noz (Night Party) music with daring and imagination. Our goal is to create intense, beautiful, and noteworthy music. The duo at the heart of the band, Sona Greenberg (chromatic accordion) and Ron Reed (woodwinds), are joined by a varied group of INVITÈS on performances & recordings. The name ‘Queen Amann’ is a light-hearted bilingual pun on the delicious Breton pastry ‘kouign amann’ (butter cake).