Biography of Burum

Burum (meaning 'yeast' in Welsh) was formed in 2006 when Ceri Rhys Matthews was added on Welsh horn pipe to the 'Williams Quintet'.

The brothers Tomos (trumpet) and Daniel Williams(tenor sax) had been arranging a number of Welsh folk melodies for the quintet, which is now the exclusive repertoire for Burum. The addition of the mellow Welsh horn pipes gives the band an unique sound.

Burum's inaugural CD 'Alawon (The Songs of Welsh Folk)' was released in March 2007, and has been received warmly by both the jazz and folk 'fraternities'.

At the CD launch gig in the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, in March 2007 Burum were joined by the eminent Berlin-based guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly for a one-off collaboration, exploring the similarities between Welsh traditional music and the African-American tradition and music.

Burum’s sound is the result of a jazz aesthetic combined with a deep respect for the traditional melodies of Wales.

All members of Burum are active on the South Wales jazz scene.

Tomos Williams also plays with ground-breaking band Fernhill and the Wales Jazz Composers Orchestra, while the O Connor brothers can be found on this site playing with the Jones O Connor Group, and the Gareth Roberts Quintet.

Ceri Rhys Matthews is highly regarded as an innovator and excavator of Welsh traditional music, and is a founder member of Fernhill, one of Wales' premiere bands.