October 5th

Bert Jansch has died in London aged 67, he had been battling cancer for many years. Jansch was active until very recently, he played support to Neil Young on his Twisted Road solo acoustic tour in the US and Canada in May of 2010 and followed this by an appearance with Eric Clapton at the Crossroads festival in June 2010. Jansch will be forever associated with the group Pentangle and the singing of Jaqui McShee. With Pentangle Jansch brought a unique and hugely influential guitar style to the folk music of the British club circuit in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Originally from Glasgow with roots in Germany (his family having immigrated to Scotland in the 19th century), his recording career spanned five decades and he appeared on over 25 albums, his first commercial recording was in 1965 and his last, a DVD was released in 2007. His Early albums were made using Martin guitars some of which he borrowed, but later he would champion Roger Bucknall’s Fylde brand (at the same time Any Irvine was playing Fylde bouzoukis ). Latterly Jansch was a champion for Yamaha guitars. He was equally at home with American blues as he was wiith traditional Child Ballads, indeed his version of Jack Orion was 20 minute tour de force.

Alan O’Leary of Copperplate Distribution in London told us : “This man was a true musical genius and a much loved friend. Please offer a prayer or positive thought for his wife, Lauren who herself is very ill and his sons Adam, Keiron and other close family. Bert was As Fresh as a sweet Sunday morning.”