The life and career of Geraint Jarman will be remembered at a special National Eisteddfod tribute in Wrexham.
The musician, writer and actor died in March at the age of 74.
Born in Denbigh before moving to Cardiff at the age of four, Jarman was considered a highly influential figure in the arts in Wales.
Described as "the father of Welsh rock", he expanded the boundaries of Welsh language music into reggae, new wave and post punk among other genres.
Although he created and peformed chiefly in Cymraeg - his first language - his work resonated with international audiences.
Jarman was a pioneer from the start. 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.
He co-wrote a folk-rock opera with Meic Stevens, Etifeddiaeth Drwy'r Mwg, which was broadcast on HTV Wales in 1970 as a unique experiment for St David's Day – tackling environmental issues in a 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.
Living in the Welsh capital was a major influence. 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 later 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 - ae 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). He was also the original Welsh language voice of Superted (1982), the first progamme shown on S4C's opening night.
On Wednesday night, a special evening will be held in Y Babell Len (Literary Pavilion), organised by Sain chief executive Kev Tame and Marged Tudur, alongside Geaint's family.
Blending his music with his poetry - and highlighting the deep connections between the two - it will feature contributions from prominent artists including Rhys Ifans, Twm Morys, Huw Stephens, Rogue Jones, Aleighcia Scott, Mei Gwynedd, and Gareth Bonello, with broadcaster Lisa Gwilym hosting the event.
Marged, who studied Jarman's work for her PhD, said: “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.”
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