Biography

It's now five years since Bill's first solo performance, and the number of people who turn up to her gigs expecting to see a loud, hairy, six- foot bloke is finally starting to dwindle. Bill (Belinda) with her lively style and fresh, unpretentious approach has established herself as a major new talent, delighting both die hard devotees of acoustic music and newcomers to the genre. In February 2001, less than a year after releasing her debut album Turn to Me, Bill won the Horizon (Best Newcomer) Award at the BBC Folk Awards.

Born in Staffordshire and now based in the North East, Bill has taken the folk circuit by storm. Not only does she have a sweet and soulful voice, but she also plays accordion, piano, flute and Irish whistle. Bill's live set features gentle songs to tug at your heart, energetic sets to get your feet tapping, and tales to enthrall, all bound together by gentle humour.

Bill spent her childhood training as a classical pianist/flautist and playing in her dad’s ceilidh band. As a music student in London she studied jazz piano, whilst spending all her evenings playing flute in Irish sessions. From 1994 - 1996, Bill played keyboard and accordion in London-based indie band The Wise Wound, playing at venues across London and festivals such as Glastonbury. Over the last few years she has also proved herself an accomplished classical and folk tutor, running vocal and instrumental workshops and leading weekly flute/whistle classes for Folkworks.

Bill has released three studio albums. Turn to Me was released in March 2000, Panchpuran followed in May 2001, and Two Year Winter was released in July 2003. All have received critical acclaim - see reviews links for write-ups. In November 2001, Bill also released a limited edition four song EP, Bits & Pieces, and in September 2002 a live album - The Bill Jones Band "Live at The Live". The most recent addition to Bill's discography is the Faire Winds Live CD. Released in September 2003, it is a six song CD recorded during Bill's first USA tour with the Faire Winds (Bill, Anne Hills and Aoife Clancy). Bill's songs continue to receive regular airplay on local, national and international radio stations, and Bill also has an ongoing schedule of radio interviews and sessions - see News page for up to date information.

Bill’s career has become a family business - mum Felicity is Bill’s agent and manager, dad Pete (who was looking forward to a relaxing retirement - sorry Dad!) has now become admin assistant extraordinaire, brother Mike is responsible for publicity, and husband Chris is mailing list co-ordinator and website designer. Brick Wall Music has been set up as a family-owned record label, and Turn to Me will move across onto Brick Wall Music at some point over the next year. Thanks to Jacey and Brian Bedford (of the fantastic acappella trio Artisan) for allowing us to use their Bedspring Music record label.

Bill's Diary - how it all started

May 1999:

first solo gig at South Shields Folk Club, South Tyneside.

January 2000:

recorded Turn to Me at Park Head Studios, nr Huddersfield, produced and engineered by Brian Bedford.

March 2000:

started selling Turn to Me at gigs, in between earning living through teaching.

July 2000:

recorded three songs with Scots accordion legend Phil Cunningham.

September 2000:

following the broadcast of a special "Bill Jones and guests" session on Radio 2's Mike Harding show, Turn to Me reached the number one spot in Radio 2’s Folk/Roots chart, and stayed in the top ten for four months. Turn to Me lanched in all major record stores. Became a full-time performer.

October 2000:

featured in cover article of FRoots magazine, with an extended interview by Colin Irwin.

January 2001:

Turn to Me at no. 11 in FRoots Critics Poll 2000.

May 2001:

Panchpuran released in the UK on Brick Wall Music record label.

Summer 2001:

appeared at twenty three UK festivals, and featured in a live session on Radio 3's Andy Kershaw show.

August 2001:

Panchpuran released in USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Belgium, The Netherlands & Luxembourg on Compass Records.

November - December 2001:

eleven-date UK tour with the newly formed Bill Jones Band

December 21st 2001:

a relaxing Christmas at home - my first since turning professional - hurray!

June 3rd 2002:

accompanied by Sarah Wright, played in a special Radio 3 live concert in Bristol, broadcast as part of special BBC Music Live / Queen's Jubilee weekend celebrations.

September 2002:

successful first tour with The Bill Jones Trio: me, Miranda Sykes (double bass, guitar, harmony vocals) and Sarah Wright (bodhran, flute, whistle, harmony vocals). Great combinations of instruments and a lot of fun.

October - November 2002:

hectic few months touring the USA as part of The Faire Winds tour with Anne Hills and Aoife Clancy.

November - December 2002:

toured in Japan, Holland, Germany and Belgium.

Jan - April 2003:

recorded and produced my new album, Two Year Winter, back in Birdsedge, with lots of great guest musicians. Also had fun on the second Bill Jones Trio tour through February and March.

April - August 2003:

been on tours of Scotland, Spain and America, also played at several UK Festivals.

September 2003:

fifteen date tour across the UK with The Faire Winds, made possible with funding from the Arts Council of England.

20th December 2003:

Bill's first baby born - Dominic, weighing 8lb 6oz.

June 2004:

recorded guest vocals for Japanese rock band Brahman, who covered Eamon Friel's song From My Window after first hearing it on Bill's album Two Year Winter. More info on News page.

July 2004:

had a great time performing at Rudolstadt Festival, Germany.

January 2005:

enjoying motherhood, and doing some teaching in schools locally, taking some extended time off touring. Second baby due in July 2005!