This year the festival gives carte blanche to Jean Bona, a piper (Auvergne bagpipe or cabrette) who has played a very important part in the revival of the traditional music of Auvergne. Jean Bona's father came to France from Italy and he was born in 1927 in Corrèze, where he soon acquired a passion for music. When he was nine years old, he taught himself to play the harmonica while looking after the cows. Later, he played from time to time at dances. He did not take up the cabrette until he was forty-six. His teachers were Alain Faliés and Jean Bergheaud (who was taught by Bouscatel).

Jean Bona felt an immediate affinity with the revivalist movements of the '70s.
He went on to play with many groups, and he was also one of the founders of 'Paris-Banlieue', an association of traditional musicians. Nowadays he gives most of his performances with Hervé Capelle (accordion). Jean Bona (who is also very much in demand for his bagpipe reeds) is one of the major figures of French folk.
A tribute that is long overdue.

learn more about this show at the program

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