English folk artists

A

Alistair Anderson English concertina and Northumbrian pipes player and composer; The High Level Ranters, founder of Folkworks
© Judith Burrows CC BY-SA 4.0 Ian A. Anderson Editor of fRoots; Village Thing
© VARA CC BY-SA 3.0 Harvey Andrews Singer and songwriter; Hey Sandy
Frankie Armstrong Singer of ballads; the natural voice movement
Jack Armstrong 1904 to 1978 Northumbrian smallpiper
Dave Arthur Singer, writer and folklorist; Dave and Toni Arthur

B

© Tim Packer CC BY-SA 4.0 Roy Bailey 1935 to 2018 Singer; songs of protest and justice
Stephen Baldwin 1873 to 1955 Village fiddler; Forest of Dean
Sabine Baring-Gould 1834 to 1924 Collector of Devon and Cornish song; Songs of the West
J. P. Bean 1949 to 2015 Author; Singing from the Floor
© Paul Hudson CC BY 4.0 Phil Beer Fiddler and multi instrumentalist; Show of Hands
Peter Bellamy 1944 to 1991 Singer; The Young Tradition, The Transports
Janet Blunt 1859 to 1950 Folk song and morris collector; Adderbury
© AndyRiley CC BY 3.0 Jon Boden Singer, fiddler and arranger; Bellowhead
© Ben Sutherland CC BY 2.0 Billy Bragg Singer and songwriter; Mermaid Avenue
Danny Brazil Gypsy traditional singer and step dancer; Gloucester
Harry Brazil Gypsy traditional singer; Gloucester
Anne Briggs Singer; unaccompanied traditional song
Katharine Briggs 1898 to 1980 Folklorist; An Encyclopedia of Fairies
Jumbo Brightwell Traditional singer; Eel's Foot, Eastbridge
Derek Brimstone 1932 to 2017 Folk club guitarist, banjo player and comic
Lucy Broadwood 1858 to 1929 Founder of the Folk-Song Society; English County Songs
Walter Bulwer 1888 to 1968 Fiddler; Shipdham, Norfolk
© Graham Kolbeins CC BY 3.0 Vashti Bunyan Singer and songwriter; Just Another Diamond Day
© Bryan Ledgard CC BY 2.0 Dave Burland Singer and guitarist; A Dalesman's Litany
© unknown Public Domain Mark Henry Burstow 1826 to 1916 Bellringer and traditional singer; Horsham
George Butterworth 1885 to 1916 Composer and collector of songs, tunes and dances

C

Bill Caddick 1944 to 2018 Songwriter; John O' Dreams, Home Service
Tony Capstick 1944 to 2003 Singer, comedian and broadcaster; Sheffield
Clive Carey 1883 to 1968 Baritone and folk song collector
© Nick Barber CC BY-SA 4.0 Sam Carter Guitarist and singer; False Lights
© Maybesometime CC BY-SA 3.0 Eliza Carthy Singer and fiddle player; Waterson:Carthy, The Wayward Band
© Mike Garvey CC BY-SA 3.0 Martin Carthy Singer and guitarist; Steeleye Span, The Watersons
Pete Castle Singer and storyteller; English traditional songs
© Bryan Ledgard CC BY 2.0 Jim Causley Singer; West Country songs
Michael Chapman 1941 to 2021 Guitarist and songwriter; Fully Qualified Survivor
Holly Clarke Traditional singer and guitarist; Holly and the Reivers
© p_a_h CC BY 4.0 Josienne Clarke Singer and songwriter
Ted Cobbin 1906 to 1975 Melodeon player and singer; Great Glemham
Pete Coe Singer and songwriter; Bandoggs, Ryburn 3 Step
Johnny Collins 1938 to 2009 Shanty and sea song singer; Norwich
© Tony 1212 CC BY 4.0 Shirley Collins Singer; Anthems in Eden, Lodestar
Bob Copper 1915 to 2004 Traditional singer and writer; the Copper Family
Jim Copper 1882 to 1954 Traditional singer; the Copper Family
Ron Copper Traditional singer; the Copper Family
Cecilia Costello 1884 to 1976 Traditional singer; Birmingham
© Lrheath CC BY-SA 3.0 Dave Cousins 1940 to 2025 Singer and songwriter; Strawbs
Harry Cox 1885 to 1971 Traditional singer; Catfield, Norfolk
© Jack de Nijs for Anefo CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication) Terry Cox 1937 to 2026 Drummer; Pentangle
© Bryan Ledgard CC BY 2.0 Andy Cutting Melodeon player; Blowzabella, with Chris Wood

D

Bob Davenport 1932 to 2026 Singer; Geordie songs and The Rakes
© Hollyer, Frederick, born 1837 - died 1933 (photographer)Public Domain Mark Percy Dearmer 1867 to 1936 Priest and editor; The English Hymnal
Sandy Denny 1947 to 1978 Singer and songwriter; Fairport Convention, Fotheringay
© Shaggy359 CC BY-SA 3.0 Richard Digance Singer, guitarist and comedian
© Tony Rees CC BY-SA 4.0 Diz Disley 1931 to 2010 Guitarist and folk club entertainer; jazz and skiffle
Johnny Doughty 1903 to 1986 Traditional singer; Sussex fisherman
Paul Downes Guitarist, singer and composer; Downes and Beer, the Joyce Gang
Nick Drake 1948 to 1974 Singer, songwriter and guitarist; Five Leaves Left, Pink Moon
© Bruce Baker CC BY 2.0 Blair Dunlop Singer, songwriter and guitarist
© Tommytomato (talk)CC BY-SA 3.0 Judy Dyble 1949 to 2020 Singer; Fairport Convention, Trader Horne

E

© Martinevans123 CC BY-SA 4.0 George Ewart Evans 1909 to 1988 Oral historian; Ask the Fellows Who Cut the Hay
Tim Van Eyken Singer, melodeon player and actor; Waterson:Carthy

F

James Fagan Singer and bouzouki player; duo with Nancy Kerr; Melrose Quartet
John Forrest Anthropologist; historian of morris dancing
Chris Foster Singer and guitarist; English traditional song
© Bryan Ledgard CC BY 2.0 Bob Fox Singer and guitarist; The Pitmen Poets

G

Vic Gammon Folk song scholar, singer and melodeon player
© jeaneeem CC BY 2.0 Vin Garbutt 1947 to 2017 Singer, songwriter and whistle player; the Teesside Troubadour
George Gardiner 1852 to 1910 Folk song collector; Hampshire
Rolf Gardiner 1902 to 1971 Folk dance organiser; the Travelling Morrice, Springhead
Anne Geddes Gilchrist 1863 to 1954 Collector of Lancashire song; Folk-Song Society editor
© Baillon CC BY-SA 4.0 Gordon Giltrap Acoustic guitarist and composer; Heartsong
Martin Graebe Folk song researcher; Sabine Baring-Gould
Davy Graham 1940 to 2008 Guitarist; Anji, DADGAD tuning
© Bain News Service, restored by Adam Cuerden and MyCatIsAChonk Public Domain Mark Percy Grainger 1882 to 1961 Composer and phonograph collector; Lincolnshire Posy
Richard Grainger Singer-songwriter of Teesside and Whitby; The Whitby Whaler; formerly Teesside Fettlers
© Candy Schwartz CC BY 2.0 Martin Green Accordionist and composer; Lau
© Mudbugclub CC BY-SA 4.0 Clive Gregson Songwriter and producer; Gregson and Collister

H

Gordon Hall 1932 to 2000 Traditional singer; Horsham, Sussex
Reg Hall Melodeon player; historian of Irish music in London
Henry Hammond 1866 to 1910 Folk song collector; Dorset
Johnny Handle Singer, songwriter and musician; High Level Ranters
© Scouse_and_Jules from UK CC BY 2.0 Mike Harding Singer, comedian and broadcaster
© Bryan Ledgard CC BY 2.0 Bella Hardy Singer and songwriter
© Trharp CC BY-SA 3.0 Roy Harper Singer and songwriter; Stormcock
Roy Harris 1933 to 2016 Unaccompanied singer; sea and military songs
© Tony 1212 CC BY-SA 4.0 Sue Harris Hammered dulcimer and oboe; with John Kirkpatrick
Bob Hart 1892 to 1978 Traditional singer; Snape, Suffolk
Nick Hart Singer and multi instrumentalist; English traditional song
Tim Hart 1948 to 2009 Singer and guitarist; Steeleye Span
© Bryn Pinzgauer CC BY 2.0 Fay Hield Traditional singer and ethnomusicologist
Rosie Hood Singer; Wiltshire songs
Stan Hugill 1906 to 1992 Shantyman, author and sea song historian
© Rodhullandemu CC BY-SA 3.0 Alan Hull 1945 to 1995 Singer and songwriter; Lindisfarne
© Brian Marks CC BY 2.0 Ashley Hutchings Bassist; Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Albion Band
© Evan T Jones CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication) Ronald Hutton Historian; The Stations of the Sun

J

Hannah James Singer, accordionist and clog dancer; Lady Maisery, JigDoll
© Seth Tisue from Boston, MA, USA CC BY-SA 2.0 Bridget St John Singer and guitarist; Ask Me No Questions
Bob Johnson 1944 to 2023 Guitarist and singer; Steeleye Span
© Tony 1212 CC BY-SA 4.0 Nic Jones Singer, guitarist and fiddler; Penguin Eggs
© Tony 1212 CC BY-SA 4.0 Wizz Jones 1939 to 2025 Guitarist and singer; British folk blues
Fred Jordan 1922 to 2002 Traditional singer and farm worker; Shropshire

K

Maud Karpeles 1885 to 1976 Collector; Cecil Sharp's collaborator
© Rob Glover CC BY-SA 2.0 Rick Kemp Bass player and songwriter; Steeleye Span
Keith Kendrick Singer and concertina player; Derbyshire
Douglas Kennedy 1893 to 1988 Director of the English Folk Dance and Song Society
Peter Kennedy 1922 to 2006 Collector and broadcaster; Folk Songs of Britain and Ireland
© Bryn Pinzgauer CC BY 2.0 Nancy Kerr Fiddle player and singer; with James Fagan
Virginia Kettle Singer and songwriter; Merry Hell
© James Henry Hogg Public Domain Mark Frank Kidson 1855 to 1926 Leeds song scholar; Traditional Tunes
Louisa Jo Killen 1934 to 2013 Singer and concertina player; recorded as Louis Killen
William Kimber 1872 to 1961 Morris musician and concertina player; Headington Quarry
© Rob Glover CC BY-SA 2.0 Benji Kirkpatrick Guitarist and bouzouki player; Bellowhead, Faustus
© Bryan Ledgard CC BY 2.0 John Kirkpatrick Melodeon and concertina player; English song and morris
Lisa Knapp Singer and songwriter
© Brian Marks CC BY 2.0 Peter Knight Fiddler; Steeleye Span, Gigspanner
© Brian Marks CC BY 2.0 Steve Knightley Singer and songwriter; Show of Hands
Jimmy Knights Traditional singer and banjo player; Suffolk

L

© Beanmunster CC BY 2.0 Sean Lakeman Guitarist and producer; Equation
© Leo Dezoysa CC BY 4.0 Seth Lakeman Singer, fiddler and songwriter; Kitty Jay
Sam Larner 1878 to 1965 Fisherman and traditional singer; Winterton, Norfolk
Tim Laycock Singer, actor and storyteller; Dorset songs and dialect
Bill Leader 1929 to 2026 Recording engineer and producer; Leader and Trailer
Ella Mary Leather 1874 to 1928 Folklore and folk song collector; Herefordshire
© Paul Hudson CC BY 2.0 Sam Lee Singer and song collector; The Nest Collective
© Steve Knight from Halstead, United Kingdom CC BY 2.0 Chris Leslie Fiddler; Fairport Convention, Whippersnapper
Tom Lewis Singer and songwriter; sea songs and shanties
A. L. Lloyd 1908 to 1982 Singer, writer and collector; Folk Song in England
Kenneth Loveless 1911 to 1995 Morris concertina player; Squire of the Morris Ring
© candyschwartz CC BY 2.0 Jez Lowe Songwriter; Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies
Trevor Lucas 1943 to 1989 Singer and guitarist; Fotheringay, Fairport Convention

M

© Seattle Folklore Society Public Domain Mark Ewan MacColl 1915 to 1989 Singer, songwriter and activist; Dirty Old Town, Radio Ballads
© K8 fan at English Wikipedia Public Domain Mark Kirsty MacColl 1959 to 2000 Singer and songwriter; They Don't Know, Fairytale of New York
Kitty Macfarlane Singer, songwriter and guitarist; Somerset
© TimDuncan CC BY 3.0 John Martyn 1948 to 2009 Singer, songwriter and guitarist; Solid Air
© Fotoburo De Boer CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication) Dave Mattacks Drummer; Fairport Convention
© David Laws CC BY-SA 3.0 Iain Matthews Singer; Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort
© Dr Photo CC BY 2.0 Julie Matthews Singer and songwriter; While and Matthews
Pop Maynard 1872 to 1962 Traditional singer and marbles champion; Copthorne
Lauren McCormick Singer and flute player; The Devil's Interval
Rachael McShane Singer, cellist and fiddler; Bellowhead, The Cartographers
© The original uploader was Bluewave at English Wikipedia.CC BY 2.5 Jacqui McShee Singer; Pentangle
Ralph McTell Singer, songwriter and guitarist; Streets of London
E. J. Moeran 1894 to 1950 Composer and folk song collector; Norfolk
© Garry Knight from Bromley, Kent, England CC BY-SA 2.0 Jim Moray Singer, arranger and producer; False Lights
Angeline Morrison Singer and songwriter; The Sorrow Songs
Pete Morton Singer and songwriter
Julie Murphy Singer in Welsh and English; Fernhill

N

Mary Neal 1860 to 1944 Espérance Club; the early morris revival
Harkie Nesling 1890 to 1978 Fiddler; mid Suffolk
Simon Nicol Guitarist and singer; Fairport Convention

O

© Bryn Pinzgauer CC BY 2.0 Jackie Oates Singer and fiddler
© Martinbassindale CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication) Maz O’Connor Singer, songwriter and composer
© Dcs57 CC BY-SA 4.0 Iona Opie 1923 to 2017 Folklorist; The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren
© Dcs57 CC BY-SA 4.0 Peter Opie 1918 to 1982 Folklorist; The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes

P

Roy Palmer 1932 to 2015 Folk song historian and author
Walter Pardon 1914 to 1996 Traditional singer; Knapton, Norfolk
Charles Parker 1919 to 1980 BBC producer; the Radio Ballads
Bob Pegg Singer, songwriter and storyteller; Mr Fox
© Kevin Smith CC BY 2.0 Dave Pegg Bass player; Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull
Brian Peters Concertina and melodeon player; ballad singer
© AlasdhairJohnston CC BY-SA 4.0 Grace Petrie Singer and songwriter; protest songs
Billy Pigg 1902 to 1968 Northumbrian smallpiper
© David Loggan Public Domain Mark John Playford 1623 to 1686 Publisher of The English Dancing Master
Cyril Poacher 1910 to 1999 Traditional singer; the Ship Inn, Blaxhall
© Harald Krichel CC BY-SA 4.0 Emily Portman Singer and songwriter; The Furrow Collective
© Rob Glover CC BY-SA 2.0 Maddy Prior Singer; Steeleye Span

Q

Matt Quinn Singer and melodeon and mandolin player; The Dovetail Trio

R

© Thom C from Blackstone Valley, United States CC BY 2.0 John Renbourn 1944 to 2015 Guitarist; Pentangle, John Renbourn Group
Bob Roberts 1907 to 1982 Singer and storyteller; Thames sailing barge skipper
Tony Rose 1941 to 2002 Singer and concertina player; Bandoggs
Colin Ross 1934 to 2019 Northumbrian pipe maker, piper and fiddler; High Level Ranters
Doc Rowe Folklorist, film maker and archivist of customs
Jack Rutter Singer, guitarist and bouzouki player; Moore Moss Rutter
Mick Ryan Singer, songwriter and writer of folk operas

S

Emily Sanders Singer, fiddle and viola player; Sherburn Bartley Sanders, Isambarde
George Sansome Traditional singer and guitarist; Granny's Attic; Queer Folk
Bob Scarce 1885 to 1974 Traditional singer; Blaxhall, Suffolk
Chris Sherburn Concertina player; Sherburn Bartley Sanders, Last Night's Fun
Jacqueline Simpson Folklorist; A Dictionary of English Folklore
Wiggy Smith 1926 to 2001 Gypsy traditional singer; Gloucestershire
Keith Summers 1948 to 2004 Field recordist; Suffolk; founder of Musical Traditions
Dave Swarbrick 1941 to 2016 Fiddler; Fairport Convention

T

© JuneTaborAndMartinSimpson.jpg: candyschwartz from Boston, USA derivative work: Alison ❤CC BY 2.0 June Tabor Singer; Silly Sisters, Oysterband
Cyril Tawney 1930 to 2005 Singer and songwriter; Sally Free and Easy, The Grey Funnel Line
© AnonymousUnknown author Public Domain Mark Joseph Taylor 1833 to 1910 Traditional singer; Saxby All Saints, Lincolnshire
Scan Tester 1887 to 1972 Anglo concertina player; Sussex dance music
Jake Thackray 1938 to 2002 Singer and songwriter; witty, wordy songs
Kathryn Tickell Northumbrian piper and fiddler
Steve Tilston Songwriter and guitarist
George Townshend 1882 to 1967 Traditional singer; Sussex
Gordon Tyrrall Singer, guitarist and flute player; Magnetic North; duo recordings with Brian Peters

U

Becky Unthank Singer and clog dancer; The Unthanks
Rachel Unthank Singer, cellist and clog dancer; The Unthanks
Harry Upton Traditional singer; Balcombe, Sussex

W

Dan Walsh Clawhammer banjo player, guitarist and singer; Urban Folk Quartet
Lal Waterson 1943 to 1998 Singer and songwriter; The Watersons, Bright Phoebus
Norma Waterson 1939 to 2022 Singer; The Watersons, Waterson:Carthy
Chris While Singer and songwriter; While and Matthews
Alfred Williams 1877 to 1930 Poet and folk song collector; Upper Thames
Ralph Vaughan Williams 1872 to 1958 Composer and collector of English folk songs
Chris Wilson Singer; The Wilson Family
Steve Wilson Singer and instrumentalist; The Wilson Family