During this year’s National Eisteddfod, a special evening will be held in Y Babell Lên to remember and honour Geraint Jarman, who passed away earlier this year
Jarman was a hugely influential figure in the arts in Wales – a musician, poet, actor, filmmaker, and mentor to generations of young artists.
Although he created and performed in Welsh, his first language, his work was rich with international influences – from European poetry to reggae, rock, country music, and more. He had a clear vision: to show that Wales is an integral part of the wider cultural world.
His songs could be sweet, sharp, or playful – always original and deeply moving.
The evening, organised in collaboration with Geraint’s family, promises to be emotional and memorable. Music event producer and Sain CEO Kev Tame, along with Marged Tudur, who studied Jarman’s work for her PhD, will blend his music with his poetry, highlighting the deep connections between the two. As Marged says, “Everyone knows him as a musician, but he was also a gifted poet. It’s been an exciting experience discovering the links between his songs and his poems.”
The evening will feature contributions from prominent artists including Rhys Ifans, Twm Morys, Huw Stephens, Rogue Jones, Aleighcia Scott, Mei Gwynedd, and Gareth Bonello, with Lisa Gwilym hosting the event.
Geraint Jarman was born in Denbigh, but moved with his family to Cardiff at the age of four – a move that would greatly influence his life and creative work. After leaving school, he formed the group Bara Menyn with Heather Jones and Meic Stevens – a humorous but meaningful name, referring to the need to earn a living in order to pursue artistic dreams.
Jarman was a pioneer from the very beginning. He co-wrote a folk-rock opera with Meic Stevens, Etifeddiaeth Drwy’r Mwg, which was broadcast on HTV in 1970 as a special experiment for St David’s Day – tackling environmental issues in a completely new way at the time.
In 1976, he released his first album Gobaith Mawr y Ganrif on the Sain label, marking the start of a highly productive period in which he released nine albums in a decade, and eight more over the following three decades. His songs varied in tone – sweet, sharp, playful – but were always original and full of spirit.
One of his most iconic albums, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (1978), included a unique version of the national anthem, alongside tracks like Ethiopia Newydd, inspired by Rastafarianism, and the cheeky love song Merch Tŷ Cyngor.
He developed a deep love for reggae in the 1970s, attending the Casablanca Club in Cardiff’s docks – and later recorded two full reggae albums. His passion for the genre was genuine and influential, opening doors to a new sound in Welsh music.
Jarman influenced Welsh bands such as Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci and Ffa Coffi Pawb, and in 1997 he directed a documentary of Super Furry Animals’ first world tour – a testament to his ongoing interest in contemporary music and support for emerging artists.
And his talents weren’t limited to music – he was also a gifted actor. He appeared on screen as PC Gordon Hughes in the comedy series Glas Y Dorlan (1977), and in the drama Off To Philadelphia in the Morning (1978). And of course, he was the original beloved voice behind Superted!
The Eisteddfod is held in Is-y-Coed, Wrecsam from 2-9 August. For more information and tickets go to eisteddfod.wales.
Photo: Tony Charles Photography
