Mercury Prize nominated folk singer, conservationist, song collector and activist

Sam Lee plays a unique role in the British music scene. A Mercury prize nominated singer, highly inventive and original arranger, folksong interpreter, passionate conservationist, song collector and creator of live events. Sam’s work as an artist has shaken up the music scene breaking boundaries between traditional and contemporary music and the assumed places and ways folksong is appreciated. Sam's voice has helped challenge what old songs hold for us today. With his latest critically acclaimed and Mojo Album of the Month ‘songdreaming’, he's summonsed up a truly compelling and emotional album that takes his work to yet another level. In 2021, Sam released his debut novel 'The Nightingale, notes on a songbird' telling the epic tale of this highly endangered bird and their place in culture, folklore, music and literature throughout the millennia. Sam's a regular radio and TV broadcaster, film soundtrack composer and has provided songs for several major feature films. As a change-maker in the music industry he is a co-founder of Music Declares Emergency, FAC board member and the pioneering artist to work with leading environmental charity Earthpercent to whom a portion of proceeds of the current album will be donated.

Live & Upcoming
Latest gigs, appearances, radio & TV

Concerts: Band

UN Ocean Summit

Plage de Passable
Nice, France

The high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (the 2025 UN Ocean Conference) will be held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.

The overarching theme of the Conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. The Conference, comprising an opening segment, ten plenary sessions, ten Ocean Action Panels and a closing segment, aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and identify further ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14. It will build on existing instruments to form successful partnerships towards the swift conclusion and effective implementation of ongoing processes that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. The Conference shall adopt , by consensus a brief, concise, action oriented and intergovernmentally agreed declaration, which along with a list of voluntary commitments, will be referred to as “Nice Ocean Action Plan”.

The Conference will involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14.

The President of the General Assembly will convene a one- to two-day preparatory meeting, in July 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. From 7 to 8 June 2024, Costa Rica will organize a High-level Event on Ocean Action entitled “Immersed in Change” in San Jose to contribute to the UNOC3 and its outcomes.

The UN Secretary-General has appointed the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Li Junhua, as the Secretary-General of the Conference to oversee its preparations; and the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, as Special Adviser to the Presidents of the Conference on ocean and legal matters.


Venue:

Plage de Passable
Plage de Passable, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera Port Lympia Centre des Congrès

France

Date:

9th Jun 2025

Time:

6:00 pm

Concerts: Band

Heligan Homecoming Festival

Heligan
Pentewan, UK

Garden Melodies: an evening Folk music amid the foliage

Folk Singer, conservationist, song collector and activist - Sam Lee has been called many things and on Sunday 15th June Homecoming is proud to call him our headline act.

Sam's voice has helped challenge what old songs hold for us today. With his latest critically acclaimed and Mojo Album of the Month ‘songdreaming’, he summons a truly compelling and emotional musical experience and we're excited to see what he does on our Field Stage.

On the night you will find a venue with a view of the ocean and in the heart of Heligan's regenerative farm - a covered performance area, licensed bar and kitchen with food cooked by our in house chefs using ingredients grown at home.

Our gates will open at 6 pm allowing attendees the opportunity to walk through our romantic gardens and enjoy food and drink beforehand - a truly Heligan experience rooting those attending with a sense of home.


Venue:

Heligan
PL26 6EN
UK

Date:

15th Jun 2025

Time:

6:00 pm

Concerts: Solo

The Hearth Well Being Summit

Across the City
Ljubljana, Slovenia

About Hearth Summit
Previously called The Wellbeing Summit, the Hearth Summit is an award-winning three-day gathering bringing together 1,000+ changemakers to advance a hopeful vision of individual, collective and ecological wellbeing for all.
It’s an emotional and intellectual journey with inspiring talks and panel discussions, interactive workshops and immersive art experiences. It’s an opportunity to build relationships and enhance collaboration and innovation, leading to the creation of a strong, engaged and compassionate network.


Venue:

Across the City
Ljubljana
Slovenia

Date:

18th Jun 2025

Time:

10:00 am


Latest Projects
Delve into the many strands of my work as a performer, producer, curator & broadcaster.

Albums & Books

My discography so far...Here are my first 4 album offerings alongside my first published book.

Singing with Nightingales

Late night concert in April & May with a small audience, a guest musician and a nightingale

Nature Activism & Awareness

Projects I'm involved with bringing the stories, songs and power of nature into public awareness

My Band & Other Animals

I’m beyond lucky that I get to work with some of the most talented and inventive musicians.

Pilgrimages & Nature Guiding

The nature pilgrimages I lead in the UK and beyond - profound natural spaces.

Radio Hosting

All my documentaries for BBC Radio 4 & Radio 3 & other channels. My full catalogue of work here.

TV & Film

Here is the full repertoire of my inclusions on the silver screen & behind the scenes.

Song Collecting

For 15 years I travelled the UK & Ireland collecting songs from the Gypsy Traveller community.

The Nest Collective

Award winning folk club and concert promoter, hosting live events across the UK.

Podcasts

Both as a presenter and as an interviewee I've spent many hours contributing to the podcast medium.

Stanley Robertson | My Apprenticeship

The most life changing and defining years of my musical journey with Stanley Robertson.

Reportage: Newspaper Articles, Media Appearances & Reviews

“A compliment from the critics is like the hangman saying you have a pretty neck”

Music Industry

Aside from being a creative and artist I actually rather like to get involved behind the scenes.

Music Performances & Projects

Some of my other collaborations as a singer, working on some extraordinary projects.

Literature

Over the years the work I have done has had the honour of being featured in several books.

Awards, Accolades & Nominations

The list is not endless but of these few acknowledgements I am very proud.

Lecturing & Teaching

My occasional forays into lecturing in universities and beyond, UK and abroad.


Featured Video

01:14

‘The Nightingale’s Song’ Film – Trailer

Emergence Magazine spent time in the Sussex woods with Sam for their 40-minute mini-feature film ‘The Nightingale's Song’. Watch the film on emergencemagazine.org.

04:35

Bushes and Briars

In association with Emergence Magazine. Taken from the forthcoming album Songdreaming, out March 15th 2024.

05:11

Meeting is a Pleasant Place

A timeless ordinance to re-imagine what the act of singing with the land can manifest.