Jon Loomes is an English traditional singer and guitarist.
A highly experienced performer, Jon is well known for his work with BBC Folk Award Nominees Pilgrims' Way and notorious Belgian surrealists Heretique.
Passionate about folksong, his solo album 'Fearful Symmetry' quickly became a cult classic. As a multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer, he has featured on many recordings, and has worked with some of the biggest names in British folk music.
As a soloist, he has appeared at all the major British folk festivals and played at folk clubs and concert venues nationally and internationally.
Drawing from the English folk song tradition, he engages with audiences, encouraging them to join in with a chorus, before hitting them between the eyes with an energised delivery of an epic ballad
Recognised primarily for his accomplishments as a guitarist, Jon weaves magical, sensitive accompaniments in the finest traditions of Martin Carthy and Nic Jones.
“A genius.”
Zoe Ball, BBC
“Superb nationally acclaimed singer.”
Derby Heritage Traditional Music Club
“Entertaining, fine musicianship and superb audience interaction.”
Letchworth folk club
“Rarely do we see such knowledge, humour, and sheer enthusiasm.”
Orpington Folk Club
“Jon´s Renditions of traditional song could melt an iceberg.”
Roots Focus Club
"Cool."
Henry Winkler (The Fonz, from TV's "Happy Days")
“A superb traditional singer.”
Broadstairs Museum Music Club
“A splendid singer and an exceptional guitar player.”
Roots and Rhythm.
“Laughter, tears, fine playing, fine singing.”
Stirrings
“Traditional music is alive and well in the hands of Mr Loomes.”
Shreds and Patches.
"Magnificent bastard."
James Fagan
“Masterly.”
Fatea
And one that got away...
"I'll think up something stirring for you to put on the website or wherever as an endorsement"
Martin Carthy
Jon Loomes (composer bio)
Loomes was born in Peterborough in 1974. His earliest exposure to music was as a church chorister, piano lessons from the age of six, and his parents' extensive and wide ranging record collection - Everything from renaissance polyphony to Eddie Cochran, Bach and Bix Beiderbecke, Sibelius and Steeleye Span. Like every composer his age, he saw Star Wars and immediately fell in love with the sound-world of John Williams.
He was taught piano by Norman Beedie (Head of Piano studies, Guildhall) and operatic vocal technique by Diana Stuart (La Scala, Milan).
As a member of The National Youth Choir of Great Britain, he toured extensively. On the advice of Alexander Goehr, he went to Goldsmiths' College, London, where he studied composition (with Edward Gregson, Sadie Harrison, and Roger Redgate), and ethnomusicology with Dr John Bailey, cultivating parallel interests in the European and American 'Avant Garde', and traditional and vernacular music from all over the world.
Loomes takes a syncretic approach, drawing influences from almost everywhere. He is passionate about British and European folk music, and admires composers such as György Ligeti, Witold Lutosławski and Béla Bartók for their inventive reworkings of traditional melodies.
His personal harmonic world owes a debt of gratitude to Arvo Pärt, John Tavener, and Jolivet's 'La Jeune France' group of composers (Messiaen, Daniel-Lesur, and Baudrier).
In terms of orchestral colour, Loomes loves the French Fin de Siecle period. His work references the textures of Holst, Orff, and Stravinsky.
Jon Loomes - Composer Headshot