John Renbourn

John Renbourn

John Renbourn is a British guitarist and songwriter from Marylebone, London, who works across folk, folk rock and singer-songwriter traditions. He is closely associated with the British folk revival and with acoustic guitar playing, but his interests extend into early music, classical music, blues and world music.

Early career and influences

Renbourn studies classical guitar at school, where he first encounters early music. In the 1950s he is influenced by skiffle and by artists including Leadbelly, Josh White and Big Bill Broonzy. During the 1960s he also responds to rhythm and blues and to the influence of Davey Graham. While studying at Kingston College of Art in London, he briefly plays in an R&B band.

As the British folk revival develops, he plays in venues that are open to guitar-based contemporary folk. At the Roundhouse in London, he accompanies blues and gospel singer Dorris Henderson and records two albums with her. He also becomes part of the London scene around Les Cousins in Greek Street, Soho, a meeting point for guitarists and singer-songwriters from Britain and the United States.

Work with Bert Jansch and Pentangle

Around 1963, Renbourn teams up with Bert Jansch and the two develop a duet style that becomes known as folk baroque. Their album Bert and John is a key example of this approach. Renbourn releases several albums on Transatlantic during the 1960s, including Sir John Alot and Lady and the Unicorn. Sir John Alot combines jazz, blues and folk with classical and early music elements, while Lady and the Unicorn reflects his interest in early music. Sir John Alot is described as his most influential album and includes his versions of medieval songs.

He also begins working with singer Jacqui McShee, who performs traditional British folk songs. Together with Bert Jansch, bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox, he forms Pentangle. The group becomes highly successful, touring the United States in 1968 and appearing at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Folk Festival. Renbourn maintains a solo career before, during and after Pentangle’s run from 1967 to 1973.

Later collaborations and solo work

Renbourn continues to record solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, often drawing on traditional material and Celtic influences while mixing in other styles. In the late 1970s he records two albums with American guitarist Stefan Grossman, which at points return to the folk baroque style associated with his work with Jansch.

In the mid-1980s he returns to university and earns a degree in composition. After that, he concentrates mainly on writing classical music while still performing in folk settings. He continues to record and tour, including a Japan tour with Tokio Uchida and Woody Mann, performances in England with Robin Williamson and Jacqui McShee, and a tour with the reformed Pentangle in 2008.

Other projects

Renbourn is also involved with the John Renbourn Group and works with Clive Carroll on the score for Driving Lessons, directed by Jeremy Brock. His collaborations also include recordings and performances with Dorris Henderson, Jacqui McShee, Stefan Grossman and Robin Williamson.