19 October: JACKIE OATES & JON WILKS

“One of folk’s brightest talents” (****The Guardian) – Jackie Oates is celebrated for her stunning vocals, heartfelt arrangements, and expressive fiddle playing.

Jon Wilks, a distinguished fingerpicking guitarist and singer, has earned recognition from Guitarist Magazine with a double-page spread and praise from Uncut Magazine for his ‘dashing sense of verve on finger-picked guitar.’

Don’t miss the chance to experience this exceptional duo for an evening of sublime music and understated brilliance.

These two friends and fellow traditional folk specialists have been collaborating for a number of years, performing on and contributing to each others’ recording, as well as delightful live performances at festivals and in concert. A very personable pair, both immensely talented, Jackie and Jon bring audiences with them as they reach with their trademark relish into their combined catalogue of traditional, original and often intriguing songs and tunes.

Jackie Oates is known for her exquisite vocals, emotive arrangements and expressive fiddle playing, and is regarded as a contemporary folk treasure and central figure in English traditional music. Jackie loves to collaborate with a diverse array of artists and commissions; seeking out new and surprising artistic corners to illuminate with her understated brilliance. 

Lauded as ‘a rather special performer with an authentic and abiding love of traditional song’, Jon Wilks is a prominent fingerpicking guitarist and singer who performs traditional English folk songs and broadside ballads, as well as his own songs. His talent has been recognised by Guitarist, one of the world’s biggest guitar magazines, which featured him as one-to-watch in July 2022. 

VIDEOS

On and On, a Longpigs cover
Junk, a Paul McCartney cover
My Shoes Are Made Of Spanish (trad), Live at Folk East Festival 2023

MORE ABOUT JACKIE

Jackie’s 8th solo studio album, Gracious Wings, took flight in September 2022, receiving acclaim from both within and beyond the folk press. ‘Her cover of ‘On and On’ by indie band the Longpigs is a bit of genius.’ **** (Get Ready to Rock). As well as recording and music therapy work, Jackie regularly performs with her duo and band line-ups  including with John Spiers, Jon Wilks, Mike Cosgrave, John Parker, Megan Henwood and with The Imagined Village. ‘There’s a sweetness and melancholy to her voice that is like no other, and for which there is no known formula with which to replicate it.’ Songlines

MORE ABOUT JON

‘Very much part of the UK’s living folk tradition, Wilks excels at reanimating broadside ballads and antique pieces with a scholar’s ear for vernacular and a dashing sense of verve on fingerpicked guitar…. Wilks also showcases a trio of original compositions, at his eloquent best on poetic Soho encounter Greek Street.’ Uncut Magazine 7/10 

With his background as a former editor of Time Out magazine and contributor to Dazed & Confused, The Guardian and other publications, Jon has a keen eye and ear for storytelling. During his live shows, he mixes entertaining folk song performances with fascinating tidbits about the original singers and collectors that he has unearthed during his extensive research on traditional folk music in the UK. Aside from being a talented musician and performer, Jon is also the founder and editor of Tradfolk.co, a website dedicated to the traditional music and ritualistic culture of England. Additionally, he is the presenter of The Old Songs Podcast.

 LINKS

Jackie Oates: www.jackieoates.co.uk
Jon Wilks: www.jonwilks.online