Jon Heslop

JON is one of folk music's leading songwriters, producing works of quality and craftsmanship. Not only is he a writer of some considerable skill, often controversial and always hard hitting, but his songs reflect his humanity and compassion in words of powerful beauty set to deceptively easy to listen to tunes, firmly rooted in the traditions of the British Isles.

Over the years he has written many memorable songs such as, "Old Soldiers", "Candles", "Poor Murdered Men" and "Cheap Boats" to name but a few and every year, audiences eagerly await his new material. His songs can be heard wherever quality singers gather as they discover the kind of songs they want to sing and the kind that audiences want to hear - songs that are set apart from the normal run of contemporary writing.

At the Miskinfolk '99 festival, he won the Harry Prigg Memorial Trophy for the best performance of a song at that festival. It was, of course, one of his own compositions.

As well as being a top class writer, Jon is no mean singer either. He sings with emotion and conviction being a firm believer in the maxim, "Don't sing a song unless you mean it!"

In addition to his talents as a writer and a singer, his dry humour and laconic comments on life in general make Jon a welcome addition to any club or festival guest list.

Festival appearances include Crediton Folk Festival, Miskinfolk, Wareham Wail, Cotswold Capers Folk Festival, Lechlade, Upton on Severn Folk festival and the Fox and Hounds Weekend of Song, Bridestowe.

Jon was also featured in John Bartlett's highly successful and moving production of 'To Be a Cornishman' at the Minack Theatre where his song 'Cheap boats' was used to highlight the demise of the Cornish fishing industry. This was followed by a performance of the songs and stories of the sea as part of 'Star on the Mizen' at Sterts Theatre.

Jon has also appeared as part of Cornwall Songwriters at Wadebridge Folk Festival, Fowey Du Maurier Festival, Bodmin Folk Club and on Radio Cornwall