John Kirkpatrick (Albion Country Band, Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey) Interview (8/17/24)
John Kirkpatrick is an English musician who plays free reed instruments like the button accordion, concertina and melodeon. He has been a vital member playing in the folk genre since 1959. John has enjoyed a long and distinguished career with well-known bands such as the Albion Country Band, Steeleye Span and backing Richard Thompson. He’s played with the likes of Ashley Hutchings and Martin Carthy and has formed several units over the years including Shrophshire Bedlams, Brass Monkey, Sultans of Squeeze, his own band, The John Kirkpatrick Band and playing with his 4 sons in Kirkophany. Has recorded with Pere Ubu, Viv Stanshall, Gerry Rafferty and Maddy Prior to name just a few. Beginning in 1993 John has recorded and released 7 solo albums. Mr. Kirkpatrick has also produced one of the only teaching videos for the melodeon and offers one-on-one lessons on playing the instruments he plays and workshops on playing for Morris dancing.