John Gerald "Jez" Lowe, born on July 14, 1955, in Easington Colliery, County Durham, England, is an English folk singer-songwriter. He was raised in a family with Irish roots and attended St Francis RC Grammar School in Hartlepool before studying languages at Sunderland Polytechnic. Lowe's career began with the release of his self-titled debut album, Jez Lowe, in 1980. His compositions often address daily life in North-East England, particularly in his hometown of Easington Colliery. Notable albums include The Old Durham Road (1983) and Galloways (1985). John Gerald "Jez" Lowe has collaborated with various artists, including Fairport Convention and The Dubliners, who have recorded his songs. In 2006, he contributed to the BBC Radio 2 Radio Ballads documentary series, which won two Sony Radio Academy Awards. He was nominated for 'Folksinger of the Year' in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2008 and received two nominations in 2015.