John Roberts

For almost 50 years John Roberts has been a mainstay of British folksong in America. Best known for his partnership with fellow Brit the late Tony Barrand, (billed as Roberts & Barrand), through the years John has always continued working as a solo performer, particularly in the areas of English Balladry and Songs of the Sea. But his repertoire also includes a wide range of songs of the working man, as well as the drinking and humorous songs that make up the wide range of the folk tradition. John often accompanies himself on the banjo and concertina.

John has played a number of times at the the Mystic Sea Music Festival, Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Festival, the San Francisco Sea Music Festival, the Old Songs Festival, Summerfest New Bedford, and the Newfoundland Folk Festival, to name but a few. He hopes to augment his sea song recordings with a new one out in time for the festival. He has also recorded extensively with  Nowell Sing We Clear.

Golden Hind Music is the label used by Roberts and Nowell Sing We Clear, which is still performing today.

Roberts recorded “Ye Mariners All” with John Rockwell and Larry Young as the group, Ye Mariners All.

Roberts recorded “Ballads Long and Short” with Debra Cowan.

We learned today that John Roberts announced that he will no longer be touring for health reasons.  He is in the process of releasing a welcomed, new album, details of which are forthcoming.  MMDI editors, 6 Jan 2025