{{Short description|Scottish folk musician}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Jim Malcolm | image = Jim Malcolm with guitar.jpg | birth_name = James Douglas Malcolm | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|02|28}} | birth_place = Cumbernauld, Scotland | genre = Folk, Folk Rock, Traditional Scottish Folk Music | occupation = Musician, Songwriter, Producer | instrument = Voice, Guitar, Harmonica, Trumpet | label = Beltane Records (own label) | past_member_of = The Old Blind Dogs | spouse = Susan Mary Jean Malcolm (married 1997–present) }}
'''Jim Malcolm''' (born '''James Douglas Malcolm''') is a traditional Scottish folk musician, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and recording artist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Malcolm |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2560180-Jim-Malcolm |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=Discogs |language=en}}</ref> He was the lead singer of the folk rock band the Old Blind Dogs for eight years, before beginning a solo career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Malcolm |url=https://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/artist/jim-malcolm/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=Wickham Festival |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=5 November 2014 |title=Battle of Waterloo by Jim Malcolm |url=https://projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmusicawards/battle-of-waterloo-by-jim-malcolm/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=Scots Trad Music Awards |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Malcolm: Traditional Scottish Folk Music |url=https://www.caltech.edu/campus-life-events/calendar/jim-malcolm-traditional-scottish-folk-music |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=California Institute of Technology |language=en}}</ref>
== Early life == Malcolm was born in Cumbernauld, Scotland, in 1964 to parents Helen Grewar and Erick Malcolm.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2005 |title=Jim Malcolm |url=https://www.allcelticmusic.com/artists/Jim%20Malcolm.html |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=All Celtic Music}}</ref> His mother, Helen, was involved in the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland. Jim learnt the guitar while at school.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moll |first=Christian |date=July 1998 |title=Jim Malcolm – one of Scotland's rising stars |url=http://www.folkworld.eu/5/jim.html |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=www.folkworld.eu}}</ref> After moving to Perth to live with his grandmother, he attended Perth High School.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Mundell |date=18 November 2015 |title=Jim Malcolm - Mundell Music |url=https://www.mundellmusic.com/jim-malcolm/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Malcolm |url=https://www.caltech.edu/campus-life-events/calendar/jim-malcolm-3 |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=California Institute of Technology |language=en}}</ref>
After secondary school he attended the University of Edinburgh, initially studying Chemistry before switching to a General Arts degree. He started his career as a professional musician after graduating from the university.<ref name=":1" />
== Musical career == During his eight years as lead singer of the established folk-rock band the Old Blind Dogs, Malcolm toured various music festivals in Europe and North America.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Thomson |first=Ross |date=26 April 2015 |title=Jim Malcolm returns to Clydesdale Folk Club |url=https://www.glasgowworld.com/lifestyle/jim-malcolm-returns-to-clydesdale-folk-club-1506545 |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=GlasgowWorld |language=en}}</ref>
As a solo musician, Malcolm blends [https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9h92nb/revision/10 Scots vocals] with simultaneous acoustic guitar, and harmonica playing.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Jim & Susie Malcolm |url=https://www.heynonny.com/shows/jim-susie-malcolm/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=Hey Nonny |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Carl |first=Sharon |date=13 September 2024 |title=Jim & Susie Malcolm {{!}} February 22, 2025 |url=http://auburnhouseconcerts.org/2024/jim-susie-malcolm-february-22-2025/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=Auburn House Concerts |language=en}}</ref> His work is inspired by old Scots songs, poems, and tunes, and he writes new lyrics for old tunes.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Neil |date=29 May 2019 |title=Episode 54: Jim Malcolm |url=http://www.tradcafe.org/blog-1/2019/5/29/episode-54-jim-malcolm |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=Trad Cafe |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first= |date=19 January 2018 |title=Jim Malcolm and Avocet, Celtic Connections 2018 |url=https://projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotpodcast/huft-review-item/jim-malcolm-and-avocet-celtic-connections-2018/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=Hands Up for Trad}}</ref> Malcolm also draws influence from Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Malcolm |url=https://oldsongs.org/event/jim-malcolm/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Old Songs — Music with Roots |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kidman |first=David |title=Review: Jim Malcom - The Corncrake, Beltane Records BELCD110 |url=https://www.livingtradition.co.uk/webrevs/belcd110.htm |journal=The Living Tradition |volume=105}}</ref> He also takes historical inspiration from Scots of the past, such as William Soutar and Tannahill.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=24 July 2011 |title=Album review: Jim Malcolm, Sparkling Flash |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/album-review-jim-malcolm-sparkling-flash-1667225 |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=The Scotsman |language=en}}</ref> He has been greatly influenced by Scottish folk musician Jim Reid, a singer and guitarist who died in 2009.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kidman |first=David |title=Living Tradition CD review of JIM MALCOLM - The Corncrake |url=https://www.livingtradition.co.uk/webrevs/belcd110.htm |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=www.livingtradition.co.uk}}</ref>
His solo performance style has been summarised as "Scots troubadour", with his music accompanied by stories, historical accounts, and comedy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Victoria |title=The Soul Of Scotland: Rare Birds Jim and Susie Malcolm |url=https://folkworks.org/interview/the-soul-of-scotland-rare-birds-jim-and-susie-malcolm/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=FolkWorks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio Wales - Celtic Heartbeat, Caledonian Heartbeat, Caledonian Heartbeat - Jim Malcolm |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0167756/p016761l |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=12 February 2023 |title=Jim, Susie & Beth Malcolm |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/jim-susie-beth-malcolm,9276 |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=The JOLT News |language=en}}</ref>
=== Highlights ===
* Malcolm was voted Songwriter of the Year at the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards, and was nominated again in both 2005 and 2008.<ref name=":0" /> * In 2011, Malcolm was accompanied by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra performing two of his songs: Lochanside and Battle of Waterloo, at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.
== Later life == In 1997, Malcolm married Scottish folk musician and journalist Susan Mary Jean Allan (1966–present).<ref name=":8" /> They live together in Perth, Scotland, and have two children: Elizabeth Andrea Malcolm (1997–present) and Alexander Andrew Malcolm (2001–present). In recent years, Malcolm has begun touring and recording with his wife Susie and occasionally with his daughter Beth.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Jim |date=5 April 2021 |title=The Scotsman Sessions #213: Beth Malcolm |url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/the-scotsman-sessions-213-beth-malcolm-3189489 |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=The Scotsman |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Golembeski |first=Bill |date=28 December 2019 |title=Jim and Susie Malcolm – The Berries (Beltane Records Belcd113) |url=https://folking.com/jim-and-susie-malcolm-the-berries-beltane-records-belcd113/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Folking.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2022, his daughter Beth Malcolm was voted BBC MG ALBA Scots Singer of the Year.<ref name=":10" />
== Discography == As of February 2024, Malcolm has released 16 solo albums and one DVD. {| class="wikitable" |+Albums !Album !Year released !Label |- |Sconeward |1995 |Greentrax |- |Rohallion |1998 |Greentrax |- |Resonance |2000 |Beltane Records |- |Home |2002 |Beltane Records |- |Live in Glenfarg |2004 |Beltane Records |- |Tam o' Shanter & Other Tales |2005 |Beltane Records |- |Acquaintance |2007 |Beltane Records |- |The First Cold Day |2009 |Beltane Records |- |Sparkling Flash |2011 |Beltane Records |- |Disaster for Scotland |2012 |Beltane Records |- |Still |2013 |Beltane Records |- |The Corncrake |2014 |Beltane Records |- |Live in Perth |2015 |Beltane Records |- |Spring Will Follow On |2017 |Beltane Records |- |The Berries |2019 |Beltane Records |- |Auld Toon Shuffle |2022 |Beltane Records |} {| class="wikitable" |+Films !Film !Year Released !Studios |- |Bard Hair Day |2012 |Red Barn Studios Ltd, Beltane Records Productions |}
== References ==
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Category:British folk-pop singers Category:Scottish folk musicians {{DEFAULTSORT:Malcolm, Jim}} Category:1964 births Category:Living people