# Maz O'Connor

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**Maz O'Connor** is an English folk singer, songwriter and composer from [Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria](/source/Barrow-in-Furness).[1] She has released six albums[2] and has written book, music and lyrics for the folk musical, 'The Wife of Michael Cleary', which won the 2023-24 [Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award](/source/George_Stiles_(composer)) for new musicals.[3]

## Career

O'Connor grew up singing traditional folk songs at parties and folk clubs.[4] In 2009, she was a finalist in the BBC Young Folk Award.[5] From 2009-2011, O'Connor sang with the band [Last Orders](/source/Last_Orders_(band)), including appearances at [Cropredy](/source/Fairport's_Cropredy_Convention) and the [Cambridge Folk Festival](/source/Cambridge_Folk_Festival).[6] O'Connor studied literature at [Jesus College, Cambridge](/source/Jesus_College,_Cambridge).[7]

In 2012, she released her first album, "Upon A Stranger Shore" (Demon Barber Sounds, DBS 005), followed in 2014 by 'This Willowed Light' which was nominated for the Horizon Award at the [BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards](/source/BBC_Radio_2_Folk_Awards).[8] She has since released four further albums and her music has been played on [BBC Radio 2](/source/BBC_Radio_2),[9] [BBC Radio 1](/source/BBC_Radio_1),[10] [BBC Radio 3](/source/BBC_Radio_3)[11] and [BBC 6 Music](/source/BBC_Radio_6_Music).[12] Her songwriting has been praised for its innovation and individuality,[13] while her voice has been compared to [Joni Mitchell](/source/Joni_Mitchell)'s.[14] She cites Joni Mitchell and Nina Simone as two of her major influences[15] as well as folk songs, folklore, literature and mythology.

In 2022, she was a winner of the Drake YolanDa Prize, judged by [YolanDa Brown](/source/YolanDa_Brown).[16]

As a composer, she has been commissioned by [The Royal Shakespeare Company](/source/Royal_Shakespeare_Company),[17] [UK Houses of Parliament](/source/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom),[18][19] and [BBC Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4).[20]

'The Wife of Michael Cleary' is her first musical, for which she has written book, music and lyrics.[21] It is based on the true story of [Bridget Cleary](/source/Murder_of_Bridget_Cleary). The first public workshop of the piece was performed at [The Other Palace](/source/The_Other_Palace), London, in October 2024 starring Faoileann Cunningham, [Connor Byrne](/source/Connor_Byrne) and Ciarán Owens.[22]

In 2026, O'Connor released her sixth album, 'Love It Is A Killing Thing', a collection of centuries-old folk songs about the perils of love, reimagined, in some cases re-composed, and recorded live to tape.[23]

## References

1. ["15 questions | Interview | Maz O'Connor | Shared Alchemy"](https://15questions.net/interview/fifteen-questions-interview-maz-oconnor/page-1/). *15questions.net*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. Davies, Mike (2019-10-16). ["Maz O'Connor: Chosen Daughter"](https://klofmag.com/2019/10/maz-oconnor-chosen-daughter/). *KLOF Mag*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["Singer and writer Maz O'Connor wins MTI Stiles and Drewe Mentorship Award"](https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/singer-and-writer-maz-oconnor-wins-mti-stiles-and-drewe-mentorship-award). *The Stage*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. Hennessy, David (2019-09-26). ["Maz O'Connor - A Daughter of the Diaspora"](https://www.theirishworld.com/maz-oconnor-a-daughter-of-the-diaspora/). *The Irish World*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["BBC - Press Office - BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2009 – winners announced"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/12_december/10/folk.shtml). *www.bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["BBC - Cambridge Folk Festival - Last Orders"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/cambridgefolkfestival/2007/artists/lastorders/). *www.bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["Review: Maz O'Connor and Matthew Jones"](https://archive.thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2013/03/30/review-maz-oconnor-and-matthew-jones-at-the-portland-arms-18760). *University of Cambridge*. 2013-03-30. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["BBC Radio 2 - BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, 2015, Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015 - Folk Awards 2015 - The Winners!"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/Rdcvm12ST6lY2vctrhK8k5/folk-awards-2015-the-winners). *BBC*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["BBC Radio 2 - The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe, Maz O'Connor"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00087nv). *BBC*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["Singer songwriter has her single played on BBC Radio 1"](https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/23812315.maz-oconnor-single-played-bbc-radio-1/). *The Mail*. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["BBC Radio 3 - In Tune, Francesca Dego, Maz O'Connor"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000sjmd). *BBC*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["BBC Radio 6 Music - The BBC Introducing Mixtape, New music from Gag Salon, Rose Betts, Fieves and more!"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014tz4). *BBC*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. Spencer, Neil (2014-06-28). ["This Willowed Light review – a perfect blend of youthfulness and gravitas from Maz O'Connor"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/29/maz-oconnor-this-willowed-light-review). *The Guardian*. [ISSN 0261-3077](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. Spencer, Neil (2016-02-28). ["Maz O'Connor: The Longing Kind review – shadows, light and a touch of Joni Mitchell"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/28/maz-o-connor-the-longing-kind-review). *The Guardian*. [ISSN 0261-3077](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. Guest, Special (2019-10-24). ["Maz O'Connor on Nina Simone"](https://atthebarrier.com/2019/10/24/maz-oconnor-on-nina-simone/). *At The Barrier*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["Winners of the 2021 Drake Yolanda Award for Emerging Young Musicians announced"](https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/winners-of-the-2021-drake-yolanda-award-for-emerging-young-musicians-announced/084503). *www.musicweek.com*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["SHAKESPEARE AT NO 10"](https://www.owenhorsley.com/shakespeare-at-no-10). *director*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["Folk musicians have taken inspiration from an unusual source to celebrate British democracy"](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/folk-musicians-celebrate-800-years-of-british-democracy-with-songs-inspired-by-landmark-legislation-a6736941.html). *The Independent*. 2015-11-16. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. Denselow, Robin (2016-10-06). ["Carter/Kerr/Joseph/O'Connor: Sweet Liberties review – rousing folk tribute to democracy"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/oct/06/carter-kerr-joseph-oconnor-sweet-liberties-folk-review). *The Guardian*. [ISSN 0261-3077](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Took Nothing Left Nothing"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002pqp0). *BBC*. 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["Workshop presentation announced for 2023-24 MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award winner"](https://www.westendbestfriend.co.uk/news/workshop-presentation-announced-for-23-24-mt-stiles-and-drewe-mentorship-award-winner). *West End Best Friend*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. ["The Wife of Michael Cleary - Industry Presentation"](https://www.mercurymusicals.com/event/the-wife-of-michael-cleary-industry-presentation/). *Mercury Musical Developments*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

1. Parkinson, Richard (2025-12-04). ["Maz O'Connor returning with fifth album in 2026"](https://americana-uk.com/172436-2). *Americana UK*. Retrieved 2026-01-12.

## External links

- [Official website](https://mazoconnor.com)
- [The Wife of Michael Cleary](https://www.demproductions.co.uk/the-wife-of-michael-cleary)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Maz O'Connor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maz_O'Connor) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maz_O'Connor?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.