Jo Freya is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and composer based in Nottinghamshire, England. Over an extensive career spanning five decades she has been part of some of the most groundbreaking acts on the British Folk Scene. Her journey started when she was 14 in The Old Swan Band – a band that explored and reaffirmed the joyousness of English traditional music, at a time when most English folk musicians were playing celtic music. From this healthy foundation of tunes and song she was invited to join Blowzabella - and the rest is history.
Jo is a prolific writer of songs and tunes, as well as shows. Her music is played across festivals in Europe and she has performed extensively both solo and with groups such as Fraser Sisters, Coope Boyes & Simpson, Narthen, Moirai, Token Women, Freyja, Tanteeka, and Maalstroom. Jo is a busy music educator, having run many schemes including 'Komposit' her young people's composition project . She is currently the artistic director of England's National Youth Folk Ensemble and was recently awarded the EFDSS Gold Badge for outstanding contribution to folk music.
Jo and Mel met at a series of music workshops held in Wantage, England, and from there Jo invited Mel to form a band - and Moirai was born. Moirai performed across the UK folk scene for nearly a decade, and recorded 3 albums, including their self-penned 20-track show 'Framed: The Alice Wheeldon Story'.
Jo's Links:
Join my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:
Live @ Mel's & ONLINE Airboxes house concert 2nd February 2026:
Learn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes Mar 14th:
Evesham Melodeon Playgroup & concert Feb 7-8th:
https://www.melodeonplaygroup.org/
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fleeceinngrasroots/1942129
Visit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:
Intro & outro music:
'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.
Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':
www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.com
Get in touch: chatterbox@melbiggsmusic.co.uk
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