Gilles Chabenat : Hurdy Gurdy, between tradition et modernity

Gilles Chabenat discovered the hurdy-gurdy through the folk arts and traditions association *Les Thiaulins de Lignières*. He initially focused on the repertoire of his native region—Central France—while already harboring the intention to explore other musical styles.

This led to numerous collaborations, notably with the Corsican group I Muvrini, which paved the way for work with artists such as Véronique Sanson, Stephan Eicher, Jean-Jacques Goldman, and Sting.
At the same time, he developed solo projects and more personal collaborations with musicians like Frédéric Paris and Gabriel Yacoub. His taste for experimentation has also led him to intersect with the worlds of jazz, theater, and film music.

In recent years, his journey took him to Mississippi with the trio Muddy Gurdy for a unique fusion of the hurdy-gurdy and the blues. His approach to the instrument highlights the multifaceted nature of an instrument that has been constantly evolving for over a thousand years.