About Jenn Butterworth

  • Jenn Butterworth is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading exponents of traditional folk guitar. Renowned for her exceptional skills in collaboration, accompaniment and arrangement, she seamlessly adapts to any stage, whether performing in an intimate venue or commanding a large festival audience.

    Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Jenn is a central figure in the thriving Scottish folk music scene. She is a key member of the award-winning folk powerhouse Kinnaris Quintet and performs regularly in duos with Laura-Beth Salter and Will Pound. Her versatility has seen her contribute to an impressive array of projects, including performances with Fiddlers’ Bid, Treacherous Orchestra, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, Bella Hardy, Adam Sutherland, Sian, Malin Makes Music, Claire Hastings, and RURA’s Jack Smedley & David Foley.

  • In 2019, Jenn was named Musician of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards and was a nominee for the same title at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Two years earlier, her work with the acclaimed folk supergroup Songs of Separation earned the Album of the Year award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. This groundbreaking project, featuring luminaries like Eliza Carthy, Lady Maisery and Karine Polwart was conceived, arranged, and recorded in just seven days. Jenn has contributed to numerous celebrated albums, including Free One and This Too by Kinnaris Quintet, as well as stepping into the producer’s role for Volume 1 by Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth. Her highly anticipated solo album Her By Design is set for release in February 2025.

  • Jenn is also a highly respected educator with extensive teaching experience, ranging from one-on-one sessions to leading large ensembles. She has collaborated with organisations such as Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the National Youth Folk Ensemble (EFDSS), Halsway Manor, Burg Fürsteneck and Folkworks Summer School. As a member of the Traditional Music Department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she works as Creative Producer and was honoured with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Teaching’ award at the RCS Student-Led Awards in 2024.

    •  “Butterworth shows that you can steal the limelight even from the shadowy environs of the accompanist’s chair; death-defying, finger-bamboozling chord shapes whizz up and down the guitar’s neck, much to the amazement and enticement of the casual listener.” 

    Tradfolk

    “Butterworth powers the show with driving guitar.” 

    The Metro

    Butterworth’s style is what makes her one of the most in-demand musicians in Scotland. There are few guitarists in this country able to so intricately guide a set with melody and rhythm

    The National

    “Butterworth shows that you can steal the limelight even from the shadowy environs of the accompanist’s chair; death-defying, finger-bamboozling chord shapes whizz up and down the guitar’s neck, much to the amazement and enticement of the casual listener”

    Tradfolk

    Recent Projects / Collaborations

    Jenn Butterworth & Laura-Beth Salter, Kinnaris Quintet, Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth, Fiddlers’ Bid, Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton’s SYMBIOSIS, Treacherous Orchestra, Adam Sutherland & Jenn Butterworth

    • Musician of the Year’ – Jenn Butterworth – Scots Trad Music Awards 2020 (nominated)
    • ‘Musician of the Year’ – Jenn Butterworth – Scots Trad Music Awards 2019 (winner)
    • ‘Musician of the Year’ – Jenn Butterworth – BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2019 (nominated)
    • Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Traditional Music – Kinnaris Quintet – Scots Trad Music Awards 2019 (winner)
    • ‘Horizon Award’ – Kinnaris Quintet – BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2019 (nominated)
    • ‘Folk Band of the Year’ – Ryan Young & Jenn Butterworth – Scots Trad Music Awards 2018 (nominated)
    • ‘Folk Band of the Year’ – Kinnaris Quintet – Scots Trad Music Awards 2018 (nominated)
    • ‘Album of the Year’ – Songs of Separation – BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2017 (winner)
    • ‘Outstanding Contribution to Teaching’ – Jenn Butterworth – The RCS Student-Led Awards 2024 (winner)
    • ‘Tutor of the Year’ – Jenn Butterworth – Scots Trad Music Awards 2015 (winner)

    Equipment

    • Martin D-41 Sunburst (standard tuning)
    • Neural DSP Quad Cortex or Grace FELiX preamp
    • Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb guitar strings (gauge .13)
      Blue Chip TD30 & TD35 picks
    • Dunlop Prime Tone Smooth teardrop picks (.73)