With a love of music, history and stories, it's no wonder that Jan took an early interest in folk music! "It's only by knowing where we came from that we can discover who we are" he says.
He went to sea at 15 with the British Royal Navy and stayed for 25 years. During this time he sang and played for ship's groups, sang solo and formed one half of the much-loved (and much-missed) folk duo, "Sycamore Smith" together with Doc Cann. Luckily the Navy provided the means for him to perform all around the world at live gigs and also gave him recording opportunities for radio and television, both national and commercial. He counts himself lucky to have rubbed shoulders with some of the greats on the folk scene, including Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, Shep Wooley and Cyril Tawney.
Jan is now retired from the sea and lives out in the beautiful Welsh countryside with Jenni and Reg, their much- loved Bedlington Terrier. As a singer of maritime and traditional songs, Jan remains one of Pembrokeshire's best kept secrets and his unaccompanied singing makes skin tingle. He also plays guitar and mandolin and on occasion performs his own compositions. These too have been acclaimed by folk music fans and his contemporaries much to this modest man's suprise.Catch him when you can, lie back and enjoy!