Endaf Emlyn

Endaf Emlyn (born 31 July 1944) is a Welsh musician and film and television director.

Early life Emlyn was born in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, Wales. He was brought up in Pwllheli and played violin in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales alongside Karl Jenkins and John Cale.

Career Emlyn trained initially as a teacher but shortly afterwards decided to pursue a career in the media instead. Upon the founding of Harlech Television in May 1968, he became one of the franchise's first four announcers as host of the quiz show Up to Date. He also worked as a script-writer, but had a simultaneous career as a musician.

Music Emlyn has been producing music since the early 1960s. He is signed to Tony Hatch's publishing company, M&M Music.

His first album, Hiraeth (1972), which combined interpretations of old folk tunes and original lyrical songs, was released in 1973. It was his only release on Carmarthenshire-based Welsh-language label Recordiau'r Dryw. Emlyn's second album, his first for Sain, was Salem (1974). Described as the first Welsh-language concept album, His third album Syrffio Mewn Cariad (1976) was another concept album with songs about the sea while his fourth album Dawnsionara (1981) debuted "a sophisticated funk rock sound" and features Pino Palladino.

In May 2017 he was awarded the John Hefin Lifetime Contribution Award at the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival.

Recordings Hiraeth ("Longing", 1974) Salem (1974) Syrffio Mewn Cariad ("Surfing In Love", 1976) Halen Y Ddaear (1977) ("Salt of the Earth", with the band Injaroc) Dawnsionara (1981) Barod Am Roc 1 ("Ready to Rock", 1984) Dilyn Y Graen (2003) ("Following the Grain", compilation) Deuwedd ("Twice", 2009)

Filmography Gaucho (1983) Dyn Nath Ddwyn y Nadolig ("The Man Who Stole Christmas", 1985) Y Cloc ("The Clock", 1986) Stormydd Awst ("August Storms", 1988) Un Nos Ola Leuad ("One Moonlight Night", 1991) Gadael Lenin ("Leaving Lenin", 1992) Y Mapiwr ("The Mapper", 1995) Tair Chwaer ("Three Sisters", 1997-1999) The Company of Strangers (1999)

Awards Year Award Category Work Result 1983 Celtic Media Festival Spirit of the Festival award Shampŵ 2017 Carmarthen Bay Film Festival John Hefin Lifetime Contribution Award