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