Chiswick born John Kirkpatrick acquired his deep love of music as a child, singing in school and church choirs and taking up the recorder and piano.
Joining the Hammersmith Morris Men as a 12 year old he began playing the melodeon, then the button accordion and the anglo concertina. He also learned the traditional songs sung over a drink following a day’s dancing. John has become one of the most prolific figures on the English folk scene, performing solo, in duos, acoustic groups and electric bands and has established an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso and session musician, as well as a leading interpreter of English folk music. He has been a member of the Albion Country Band, Magic Lantern, The Richard Thompson Band, Umps and Dumps, Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, Trans-Europe Diatonique and Band of Hope, as well as numerous ceilidh bands.
He re-joined the Albion Band for the National Theatre productions of ‘Lark Rise’ and ‘Candleford’ and appears regularly at the New Victoria Theatre, North Staffordshire. As songwriter, composer, choreographer and musical director, he has contributed to over sixty plays in the theatre and on radio. His music can be heard on over 200 different recordings.