John Smith, born in Essex and based in Devon, United Kingdom, is an English folk guitarist and singer. He began his career performing extensively across Britain, Europe, and America, both solo and with notable artists such as Iron and Wine, James Yorkston, John Martyn, David Gray, Jools Holland, Gil Scott-Heron, and Lisa Hannigan. Smith released several self-funded albums before signing with Thirty Tigers for subsequent releases. His unique guitar style has influenced artists like James Newton Chadwick and Ben Howard. Notable albums include The Fox and The Monk (2006), Map or Direction (2009), Great Lakes (2013), Headlong (2017), Hummingbird (2018), and The Fray (2021), followed by The Fray Variations (2022). Smith also appeared on a tribute album to John Martyn alongside Bombay Bicycle Club, Paolo Nutini, Snow Patrol, Phil Collins, and Beth Orton. Following the original studio album The Living Kind (2024), he recorded new versions of some songs in Gatherings (2025).
