John Dowling

John became a banjo teacher and performer during his school years. Originally a classical violinist he began playing the banjo at the age of 13. He won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards at 18 years. When he was 21 years he became the first person from outside the United States to win the prestigious Walnut Valley Banjo Contest held in Winfield, Kansas, the largest known Banjo competition in America.

He worked alongside Jools Holland, Mark Knopfler and Courtney Pine in the prime time BBC documentary ‘Play it Again’ where he taught British stand up comedian Frank Skinner how to play the Banjo.

His debut album, ‘The Underground Sessions’, was entirely recorded in a 300 year old Cornish tin mine and chosen as one of the top ten favourite albums of 2011 by American periodical Banjo Newsletter.

John is published by Faber Music and is author of ‘The Contemporary Banjo Player’ and in 2014 he co-founded the Cornish Banjo Company.