Greatly influenced by Martin Carthy, whose percussive guitar style Jones adopted for his own, he first surfaced during the late '60s as a member of the group the Halliard, mounting a solo career in 1970 with his debut album, Ballads and Songs. A collection of traditional tunes distinguished by Jones' outstanding instrumental work, the record also established his mastery of the long ballad. A self-titled effort followed in 1971, but was his last album for six years; the follow-up, Noah's Ark Trap, finally appeared in 1977, with From the Devil a Stranger appearing a year later. Around that same time Jones also joined the short-lived group Bandoggs, releasing an eponymous LP in 1978. Other projects included appearances on albums from artists including Richard Thompson and June Tabor. Released in 1980, Penguin Eggs -- named Folk Album of the Year by Melody Maker -- was his final new recording; in 1982 he was critically injured in an auto accident and forced to retire from performing. In Search of Nic Jones -- a compilation of archival material including home recordings and BBC sessions -- was released in 1998. A year later, singer/songwriter John Wesley Harding issued Trad Arr Jones, a collection of traditional folk numbers directly inspired by Jones' arrangements. ~ Jason Ankeny