Tuesday 30 August 2016

Hear what my audience members had to say; then Farewell to Edinburgh and Hello Isle of Skye!


There are several film clips here of audience members talking about 'Around the World by Guitar'.

But it's almost time to leave. It's a great way to end the Fringe - with the amazing Scottish Chamber Orchestra and some classy fireworks. We joined the throng in Princes Street Gardens. It was a friendly sea of people and great fun. That's the bandstand lit up there beyond the clustered multitudes.

That was last night and during the afternoon I just had chance to fit in another event at the Edinburgh Book Festival. It was chaired by the fantastic writer Daniel Gray, whose book 'This is Scotland: A country in words and pictures' written in collaboration with photographer Alan McRedie I wanted to buy. I did buy it. I also had a large piece of coffee and walnut cake and a double macciato in the tranquil sunny garden. I am not very good at reading words in print (give me a Bach score any day) but I have been gripped each time I have dipped into this book - the photographs are excellent and the observations by Daniel are priceless and intuitive and between them they have done an amazing job of conveying the truth and demonstrating how uplifting the truth actually is. Buy the book - give copies as presents. It is published by the Edinburgh independent Luath Press

And yes - tomorrow I'm off to the Highlands. First I'm playing in Portree (book tickets!) and then on Friday in Fort William. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the beautiful country up there and I'm looking forward to it.

Sunday 28 August 2016

One more Edinburgh Fringe show left - quick, book your tickets!!


I had another great audience today and then all that's left of my Fringe this year is tomorrow's show. BOOK TICKETS!
It has been absolutely wonderful and the audience responses have made the experience very fruitful for me. There is something about the way that people focus on listening to the pieces I play that comes back to me, as I'm playing, and it somehow affects the way I'm doing it and when this process is working well it feels incredibly exhilerating and it also feels as if we are all in some way 'doing' it . By 'it' I am not even sure how to describe what I mean. It has something to do with music - making music, being part of the music (as one fan memorably says of Spinal Tap). Yes I fear I have strayed into the realm of parody so I will shut up. Suffice to say - playing to a live audience beats any other way of playing music so THANK YOU AUDIENCES - you are all amazing.

Some audience feedback from today (lots of other comments in the post below as well)...

'Fantastic! Great selection of music and lovely venue.' Sharon Collard

'Absolutely loved it. Varied programme of beautiful music, played brilliantly - thank you so much.' Elaine Weir

'10/10 - amazing performance. It's like a travel around the world but with guitar.' Hannah White

'Excellent choice of repertoire. Great playing and acoustic.' John McBeath 

'The show was excellent - beautiful acoustics and variety. Gorgeous venue.' Neena J

 'Thoroughly enjoyed the show, the Bach was beautiful and the tango was a rousing way to finish the show.' Audience member

'Excellent.' G. Lipkin

Friday 26 August 2016

More fantastic audience comments

Thank you to all the audiences who have been to my concerts - see comments below - it is a privilege to welcome you and if you haven't been yet, the good news is... there is still time - just two concerts to go! So get a ticket at the box office in the lovely terrace garden behind the church and enjoy a coffee or a beer or some delicious food before the show.


'A truly remarkable display of virtuosity - it altered my perception of the guitar as an instrument totally.' Jim Mill

'As a player myself I always seek out Jonathan's concerts- a great favorite of mine at the Festival with renditions of a variety of styles and origins,of pieces beyond the Spanish repertoire... many thanks for (again) a great programme!' F. McCormack

'I come every year. Outstanding.' Serge Richard

'Very well played, a fine performance. A welcome break from the hectic Fringe!' Edward Sankey


'Really enjoyed it especially Albeniz,Gardell, Japanese piece and Theodorakis...' Jane Blessley


'Such an enjoyable musical journey around the world. Sorry not to have an encore!' Sandra Black


'Very good,as always.' John Pollard


'Very enjoyable and relaxing performance. Would definitely see this artist again.' Ingrid Nash


‘Very enjoyable and a very talented musician - incredible chord changes and amazing variation in genres.’ Ollie Nash

‘Absolutely amazing; one of the best concerts I’ve seen for a long time’ Patrick Moore

‘We come every year. We are always very pleased with the choice of pieces and the performance. The Bach Chaconne was spellbinding but all the pieces were masterly and riveting. Jonathan knocks all the other classical guitarists in the Fringe into a cocked hat.’ Andrew and Sue Russell

‘Really amazing.’ John McInerney

‘Excellent. Very enjoyable’. Ian Shiels

‘We have followed you for many years on our visits to the Fringe – from Café Royal, C Soco and St Cuthbert’s to C Too, St Columba’s… thoroughly entertaining.’ Brian and Jane Keary

A thoroughly enjoyable concert.’ Phil Kelsall

‘Brilliant! Really enjoyable programme. A good mix. What a talent!’ G Fenwick

‘Amazing.’ N D Fabro

‘Great!’ Mark

‘I’ve been for two years previously – loved it as always.’ Christine Waddell

‘Superb.’ Craig Thomson

‘Great from start to finish – our first port of call at the Fringe. A must!’ Tom Rodger

 ‘Also saw the show last year and enjoyed. Very good variety of music, excellent performance.’ Helena Mansbridge

'Beautiful, interesting, enchanting.' Mallory Goring 

'A cornucopia of all good music - best programme I've heard him play...' S. Kennedy

'Excellent - a lovely way to travel the world.' Robert Davidson 

'I've been to his concert the last 2 or three years. Great choice of music, as in previous years, a variety of styles. I think Jonathan has been improving year by year and I look forwsard to seeing him again.' N.M. McMichael





On my day off I got more than one breath of fresh air - Beecraigs beach

Saturday 20 August 2016

No press yet but audiences leave great reviews for 'Around the World by Guitar'

Eric Bogle onstage at Queen's Hall in Edinburgh
I've been getting great audience feedback for 'Around The World by Guitar' and here are some of the comments:


‘The most relaxing and enjoyable 50 minutes at the Fringe’ – [Iain McMillan]

‘Wonderful! A great selection of pieces; a thoroughly enjoyable moment of beauty and calm in a busy Fringe’ [Elizabeth Edmondson]

‘Absolutely loved it. Varied programme of beautiful music played brilliantly. Thank you so much’ [Elaine Weir]

 ‘Excellent. A lovely way to travel the world’ [Robert Davidson]

‘Absolutely outstanding’ [William Allan]
The hours every day practising and the worries about whether I'll do the music justice are all worthwhile if the thing I came to the Fringe to do makes people feel happy. So thank you everyone, I greatly value your appreciation and will continue to work hard to deserve it.
And I went to a fantastic concert at Queen's Hall tonight by the great Eric Bogle - seen here onstage. Go and see him if you get the chance but I think he was only doing the one show here.

Sunday 14 August 2016

Have a listen to the Edinburgh Fringe Podcast and Radio Show

Have you listened to the excellent Radio show, running throughout the Fringe and devoted to all things Fringe? It is the Edinburgh Fringe Podcast and Radio show and it's a good way to find out about shows you may not have got around to noticing yet. It's also good to hear the actual performers talking about their shows.

Ewan Spence is the presenter and host and he plays musical tracks from Fringe Performers throughout the day and night on air, during each show.

AND THERE IS A TRACK BY ME ON IT SOMETIMES!!

I listen when I have a break for coffee from practising. The interviews with performers are fascinating. My son here on the right, heard my track the other day.

Tuesday 9 August 2016

VoiceMap - How to navigate the Edinburgh Fringe

Edinburgh is filled with performers and as you know, every stroll on the streets is a seething mass of acrobats, buskers and people thrusting leaflets into your hands and pleading with you to come and see the best show in town. The Fringe Programme is packed with shows in every genre - and if I can quote the press release of a just-launched initiative...

'...how on earth does one choose – and then make it to the venues without getting lost in the chaos along the way? Cue the first ever Fringe audio guide. It guides you between venues, tells you what’s on and when it’s happening, all using your phone’s GPS device to play audio automatically while you stroll the streets. You’ll even hear a few teasers from performers along the way...'

AND I AM ONE OF THOSE PERFORMERS! 

The guide to venues in Edinburgh’s Old Town - including my venue, C Too, is very nifty. Smartphone users can download the free audio tour app, VoiceMap, and then it's just £1.49 for the Audio Guide. 
So no more panicking about what to see or how to find it - have fun exploring the festival with this insider’s guide to plenty of lesser-known and off-the-wall events. As that press release says:
 '...How else are you going to know about shortcuts between venues, secret basement theatres, whisky tastings, shows in whisky bars, kid-friendly shows, kid unfriendly shows, Friday Fringe take-overs at a certain well-known museum, Violet the upside-down-cow-cum-purple performance space, the big top tents where acrobats live, free hand massages, or the Fawlty Towers Dining Experience?'

Friday 5 August 2016

Isle of Skye concert details available now

If anyone on the Isle of Skye would like to hear me playing classical guitar music come to my  concert (scroll down to 31 August) at the Aros Centre in Portree on 31 August at 7.30 pm.

People's historian Daniel Gray (left) and me, perform in 2010

I'm really looking forward to it - first time on Skye.
The nearest I 've come before is the Isle of Muck and Arisaig - in a music and storytelling show with the wonderful writer and TV presenter Daniel Gray back in 2010.



I can't wait to get back among that glorious scenery.

Details of the Isle of Skye show are here (scroll down to 31 August)
Book tickets here

Saturday 30 July 2016

The Big Jons have been spotted

This year's programme
Yes - a sighting appeared on Twitter so thank you for the retweets everyone and C Venues for spotting and Tweeting it :) and if anyone spots another one please feel free to Tweet a picture of it or post it on Facebook and help me spread the word about my show.

Another very cool thing to look out for - and I'm in it -  is a virtual guided walk around the Edinburgh Fringe mobile app, VoiceMap, which uses GPS to play audio automatically, at exactly the right time and place so as you walk towards the castle and come within range of Venue 4 you hear me playing the guitar and talking to you. Just like Pokémon really.

Also I've done an interview about being at the Fringe for The New Current and it's now up there online if you'd like to read it.

Sunday 17 July 2016

Look out for big Jons - the countdown to the Edinburgh Fringe



Not long now until I set off to Edinburgh. The tech run is booked for the 3 August. I get to test all the technical aspects of my show - has the chair got all its legs/does the air circulate the same as last year/ er... that's it. It is very trouble free being acoustic.

I've been involved in a few ticket sales boosting activities. I've done an interview for The New Current and become part of a virtual audio walk around the Edinburgh Fringe with a really cool app called VoiceMap

The outdoor posters are going to be appearing all over Edinburgh soon - can anyone who spots one Tweet it to me? Or just tell me in the usual way if you're not on Twitter - I do still talk to non Twitter users!

It will be looking like this although the bigger ones are landscape - there should be some on the railings here and there I think. So it's all getting very exciting.

Saturday 18 June 2016

Edinburgh fringe brochure hits the streets and ticket sales soar

It's the same colour as my poster last year - though I didn't have a steampunk owl costume. Perhaps I should have.

Anyway tickets had already been steadily selling which shows just how many people get in early once the online programme launches.

The appearance of the actual brochure has prompted a surge in sales however and I am delighted with that. So BUY TICKETS EVERYONE!

I like to browse through it and plan what shows I'll go and see myself, while sipping a nice cool beer and now I've mowed the lawn  perhaps I'll do that while I wait for Iceland v Hungary to kick off. Can Iceland do it again?

Mozart at Teatime sounds good - at the Royal Overseas League and who wouldn't want to go and hear Nuns N Roses? Oh - they're on pretty much at the same time as me so that won't be possible for me sadly. Great title though.

Sunday 29 May 2016

Edinburgh fringe tickets on sale now - even before the launch of the Fringe brochure

Is this the earliest that tickets have ever been on sale for the Edinburgh fringe?


It seems so to me. I haven't even got my poster design finished yet. But this is a sneak preview.

The best link for ticket buying is direct from C Venues box office sales here

I'm getting excited at the prospect already and this year I'm heading up to the beautiful Isle of Skye for a concert straight after the Fringe finishes so if you're up there in the Highlands and Islands, come and see me on Skye. I'll post the full details nearer the time.

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Adelaide Fringe: week 1...

I started my Adelaide Fringe tour in the town of Salisbury about 12 miles from Adelaide and played
The road to Auburn, Clare Valley

at the RSL, which is like our Royal British Legion. They’ve just begun being a Fringe venue. They are still getting the hang of it and were sorry that more people hadn’t come but for a Fringe audience it was actually respectable – 26 people. Lord knows how they found out about it though – there was no way to tell it was happening apart from one of the smaller posters we sent which was all alone on a very long wall behind the parked cars outside. The building is next to a railway line and a warning bell dings to close the crossing as freight trains rumble through. During my encore – I am doing Vincent Lindsay-Clark’s, Pulsar – the dinging sounded in perfect time with some notes towards the end; and were also in tune! The people in charge were really friendly and the audience was full of enthusiasm. I met some good people afterwards who stayed to chat including Charlie, a local jazz musician. Nest day, at the Migration Museum the room was full. My concert began at 6.00 pm and while it was blisteringly hot outside the air-conditioning inside made it a cool haven. We had a 10 minute comfort break at half time for people to get water outside on the terrace and then we started again. I began to notice, about halfway through Variations on Sakura, that it was becoming darker. On I went, but there was no denying it – it was getting dark. I began on the horror story that is Usher Waltz and by the time I’d finished that, I could hardly see the audience any more at all. It didn’t matter to me because the light from my iPad screen meant that for Cazaapa (which I still don't know off by heart) I could easily see the notes. My last piece I do from memory and, as  no-one  mentioned the darkness I just carried on to the end and then, as the organiser came back into the room at the end, she exclaimed: ‘Oh my goodness I forgot all about putting the lights on!’ I have a second concert there next Thursday so everyone has made notes in their calendars to remember the lights.


HATS Courthouse
On Friday night it was a great gig in Auburn. Cherie and Ivan, who run the HATS Courthouse Cultural Centre, gave us a warm welcome back along with Sound & Lighting man extraordinaire, Bob. The venue is looking great as are they. They’ve added air-conditioning and a swish new lighting rack since we came in 2014. It has a wonderful acoustic in any case and it’s a delight to play here. Thank you, also, to the appreciative audience, who’d come out on a very hot night. Such levels of heat can be disastrous and Cherie, Ivan and Bob told us some sobering stories of heroism, from when the terrible bush fire swept across the area in November, changing course as the wind swung round until it was over a hundred miles across. There was evidence of the dreadful damage it did all over the landscape as we drove through.

fire damage

It was really hot the next day - 40 degrees by the time we set out for McLaren Vale. Down there the sea breeze made it cooler and we were grateful for that as soon as we stepped out of the car. Kate and Dave who run the Singing Gallery, and Michael, who helps them, are another team who know how to run a great venue and make performers feel welcome. You might remember me mentioning the venue dog, Yanni, last time I played there and I am delighted to say that Yanni is sprightly and well despite her advancing years. This is not surprising - she is well fed and so were we, with deliciously cooked locally produced food.   During my Bach a very strange noise made me think that someone had fallen over backstage taking a stack of mops and brooms with them. I carried on playing, no-one else batted an eyelid and a few seconds later it happened again but now sounded as if several things were running about on the roof looking for a way to prise it apart and get in. I carried on playing seeing as everyone else took no notice. Michael told us later that it was possums. Darkness was falling as I started the Bach and possums wake up and begin gambolling about once it’s dark. Later on I heard one – it had an indescribably weird cry. It sounded accusing and was like someone with a sore throat trying to turn a cough into a roar.
Singing Gallery
Next day I played at Trinity Sessions, the Church has a great acoustic and is cool inside. Roger and Yvonne run it with supreme efficiency and there was a good walk up as well as respectable sales on the Fringe. The heat had brought thunder with it. A thunderclap accompanied my opening O’Carolan piece and then the storm went elsewhere. In the second half it came back and there were sundry other thunderclaps. I managed OK with concentration and the audience was clearly used to dramatic weather manifestations. And then as I began on my encore which was suitably cosmological given the eruptions outside (Vincent Lindsay-Clark’s Pulsar) the heavens opened and the mother and father of all downpours descended, shaking the roof. So there was a bit of a competition between my Pulsar and the deluge and when we went outside the car park had been turned into a lake at one end.
The Fringe Garden

Thus ended week 1 of my tour...

And now I am having three days off before starting on Week Two!



Saturday 20 February 2016

Goodbye soggy fields!

In just over three days from now I'll be airborne and heading for the sunshine of South Australia. It's a damp and chilly time in the UK at the moment - I am glad to be escaping for a bit. I think my bones are looking forward to it too - the rain is making them go rusty. It feels like that some days. Tickets are selling well for my show on the Adelaide Fringe and I've also been invited to give a concert for one of the assisted living places out there - similar to the work I do here for Music in Hospitals and I'm looking forward to it. Those concerts are  heart-warming occasions, I find, Music  brings people alive in ways that stir their memories and arouse their nostalgia and emotion. I've had some wonderful conversations with audience members after  performing at such venues. It can be very moving.

And talking of odd venues, I did a concert in a bank two days ago. Katy, who organised it, took this picture for me, seeing as I liked their building, It's their Bridgewater branch. So thank you, Katy. It was a little bit surreal. I think Nat West are trying to tell us something. Is it: 'this is a nice bank, please come here and leave your money with us - have a cup cake and listen to this man playing classical guitar while you queue'.

I am sorry I couldn't oblige, customers who asked me if I could play something by Adele or Ed Sheerhan. But then a lady came in who asked me if I could play anything by Bach. Phew! And when I'd finished playing Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1 she said it had made her day and went off to queue up at the counter. I began playing Moonlight Serenade, thinking that perhapsAdele fans might like vintage Glen Miller. The Bach lady came zooming back utterly delighted because she happened to be a jazz singer and that was one of the favourite songs in her repertoire. So all in all it was fun. And I had cupcakes.