Winchester Folk Club

Jackie Oates is a singer and fiddle player hailing from Staffordshire. Her unique treatment of English ballads and songs, and pure, haunting singing style has attracted increasing attention.

Since appearing as a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 2003, she has performed extensively at festivals and folk clubs across the country, in a solo capacity and with a number of bands. She was a founder member of Northumbrian group and Mercury nominated Rachel Unthank and the Winterset until early 2007.

Her decision to leave the Mercury-nominated Rachel Unthank & The Winterset to pursue a solo career looked like a brave decision at the time but has proved to be inspired. Jackie was soon after nominated for as best newcomer in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. A swathe of glowing national reviews came with the release of ‘The Violet Hour’ (CR Records) soon after with the album going on to be one of Mojo’s top ten folk albums of the year in 2008. The new year saw Jackie walking away with a remarkable two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards including the Horizon Award for best newcomer, the award which had alluded her the year before. Jackie Oates, solo artist, had arrived.