Jackie Oates
Radio2 Double Award Winner
Radio 2 Folk Award 2009 Horizon Award for Best Newcomer and the prize for Best Traditional Song, 'The Lark in the Morning'

Jackie was born in Congleton, Cheshire in 1983. Like many, she and her older brother were immersed in traditional music from birth; their parents were both members of North West morris sides, and keen singers and musicians. The family moved to a village just outside of Stafford in 1986, and there followed a childhood full of morris dancing, folk festivals and sessions, with music a constant back drop to everyday life. Jackie began playing the recorder at the age of 6, which led to the piano and violin at the age of 7, and spent enormous amounts of time playing in recorder ensembles, orchestras and string quartets.

At 18, Jackie decided not to pursue Classical music any further, and instead moved to Devon to study English literature at Exeter University. It was there that she nurtured a strong love of unaccompanied ballad and song singing, and alongside like minded student friends, began chasing sessions and singarounds across the darkest corners of Devon, and meeting lots of inspiring singers and musicians. During this time, she began tutoring with Shooting Roots at many folk festivals, developing an equal love for teaching and workshop leading.

2003 became the start of a dizzying few years. Jackie became a participant on a TAPS/Huntington Hall scheme in which she was mentored by singer songwriter Emily Slade, and developed her fiddle singing style. Through this scheme, she met Martin Keates and Matt Nelson, and began performing with them at festivals and folk clubs. She made her recording debut on her brother Jim Moray's album 'Sweet England', and soon after, Laurel Swifts album, 'Beam'. Later that year she entered the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, progressing to the finals.

Following graduation, Jackie spent a Summer performing at festivals and recording as a guest musician on Rachel Unthank's debut album 'Cruel Sister'. During that autumn she began to perform with Ed Rennie who proved an influential force behind developing her style of English singing and arrangements. She was also introduced to Phil Beer. Following a day long recording session with Ed and Martin at his studio in Exeter, Phil suggested turning the 4 demo tracks of that day, into a full length album, which was later released on the Show of Hands label.

Rachel and Becky Unthank, Belinda O'Hooley and Jackie morphed into 'Rachel Unthank and the Winterset' during the winter of 2004, and there followed an increasingly huge number of performances at arts centres, folk clubs and festivals across the country, alongside Jackie's continued solo work. Squeezed into the affair became 'Wistman's Wood'; a trio including Jackie, guitarist Andy Clarke and accordionist Steve Turner. The band developed a soundscape influenced by English songs, tunes and the Devon countryside and recorded a 6 track e.p. with Jim Moray during Summer 2006.

Jackie left the Winterset at the beginning of 2007, and continued to perform as a soloist, touring with Phil Beer during the Spring of that year. She also began performing with Van Eyken and Reg Meuross.

Since the Summer, Jackie has recorded her second album, 'The Violet Hour' once more at Phil's studio, alongside a cast of good friends and musicians from Devon and beyond. She has also become a singer with 'Morris Offspring' alongside James Delarre, Saul Rose, John Dipper and Matthew Keegan Phipps, and continues to enjoy performances and rehearsals immensely. Jackie also features in the musical show 'The Navvy's Wife' in which she plays the part of 'Maggie'. There's a new Wistman's Wood album in the pipeline, to be recorded and produced by Jim Moray. Jackie continues to greatly enjoy her education and workshop work with children and adults of all ages.

Visit Jackie on her website and myspace

Jackie will be accompanied at her Tuesday concert spot by James Dumbleton who was born in Cornwall, bought up in Totnes Devon. Old Member of band Waulk Elektrik and collaborator with Jim Causley and recently working with Jackie Oates. On Jim's two solo albums, "Fruits of the Earth" and "Lost Love Found" on the "Wild Goose" Label and recently on Jackie's new album "The Violet Hour" on Phil Beer's new label "Chudleigh Roots". In the process of recording an album. Check out James on his myspace