Biography
Born on 24 December 1961 in Llanerfyl, Powys, Wales, Siân James first appeared before an audience at age four when entered in a local musical contest. Piano lessons began at six, followed by harp studies at eleven; by sixteen she was already touring England and Wales with a harp trio for various music and Welsh societies. After completing a music degree at Bangor University in North Wales, she embarked on extensive travels, performing as both singer and harpist. On 14 March 1981 the group Bwchadanas assembled at the same university, its original acoustic roster comprising Geraint Cynan (born 20 June 1961 in Treorci, Rhondda, Mid-Glamorgan, Wales; piano), Rhys Harries (born 6 January 1962 in Newbridge, Gwent, Wales; guitar), Gareth Ioan (born 19 September 1961 in Aberynolwyn, Gwynedd, Wales; pipes, departed 1986), Lilio Rolant (born 3 May 1962 in Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales; harp, departed 1986) and Rhodri Tomas (born 15 April 1962 in Llanelli, Dyfed, Wales; guitar).
Constant live work earned the band the title of Best Welsh Folk Band for 1983, 1984 and 1985. Their Sain Records album Cariad Cywir broadened their reach and prompted a shift to an electric configuration that welcomed bassist Marc Jones (later succeeded by Ray Jones, born 11 October 1951 in London, England), guitarist Meredydd Morris and drummer Owen Huws. Additional contributors over time have included drummers Gwyn Jones, Graham Land and Charlie Britten plus saxophonist Dafydd Dafis on soprano and alto. In 1985 Bwchadanas represented Wales at the Pan-Celtic Festival in Killarney, Eire, where they claimed the folk-song prize; that same year they opened for Moving Hearts and later shared a 1987 bill with Runrig. Individual schedules now restrict the group to occasional appearances, yet repeated television exposure has kept them among Wales’s leading folk-rock acts. Parallel to this, Siân James has maintained an independent touring schedule across Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and America; her 1990 Sain release Cysgodion Karma drew notable attention. She has also collaborated with guitarist and charango player Tich Gwilym (born 10 September 1950 in Pen y graig, Rhondda, South Wales) and keyboardist Geraint Cynan while continuing to deliver both traditional and contemporary Welsh folk material and to serve as Bwchadanas’s lead vocalist.
Constant live work earned the band the title of Best Welsh Folk Band for 1983, 1984 and 1985. Their Sain Records album Cariad Cywir broadened their reach and prompted a shift to an electric configuration that welcomed bassist Marc Jones (later succeeded by Ray Jones, born 11 October 1951 in London, England), guitarist Meredydd Morris and drummer Owen Huws. Additional contributors over time have included drummers Gwyn Jones, Graham Land and Charlie Britten plus saxophonist Dafydd Dafis on soprano and alto. In 1985 Bwchadanas represented Wales at the Pan-Celtic Festival in Killarney, Eire, where they claimed the folk-song prize; that same year they opened for Moving Hearts and later shared a 1987 bill with Runrig. Individual schedules now restrict the group to occasional appearances, yet repeated television exposure has kept them among Wales’s leading folk-rock acts. Parallel to this, Siân James has maintained an independent touring schedule across Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and America; her 1990 Sain release Cysgodion Karma drew notable attention. She has also collaborated with guitarist and charango player Tich Gwilym (born 10 September 1950 in Pen y graig, Rhondda, South Wales) and keyboardist Geraint Cynan while continuing to deliver both traditional and contemporary Welsh folk material and to serve as Bwchadanas’s lead vocalist.
Albums
