press release

new album : released nov 2006

"Ceri Matthews from Wales has spent a decade or more bringing back from extinction the Welsh pipes and has created a beautiful music informed by the Welsh language and song tradition." Brian Vallely. Director, Armagh pipe festival.

Ceri Rhys Matthews, one of Wales' finest folk musicians, has just released a solo album of pipe music played on pibe cyrn (bag-hornpipe). This is the first recording devoted entirely to the instrument. The instrument, which was built by John Glennydd with design input by Ceri, is based on careful measurement of existing ancient instruments with new innovations enabling a wider repertoire to be played.

Many of the tunes on the CD have not been played on the pipes before and so here we have an artist exploring a new sonic landscape through the native dance music tradition of Wales.

Matthews' performances on the International stage include recitals at the Edinburgh festival (Ceol na Pioba, St Cecelia's Hall) and for two years at Armagh pipe festival, as well as major British Council tours in Vietnam, Africa, Europe and the Arab world.

These travels have led to collaborations with pipers from other cultures, including Berber pipers and Toaureg musicians in the Sahara during the Drj festival in Libya in 2002. It was the first visit by British musicians to the country in over 30 years.