Edinburgh Fringe 2018

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

I'm looking forward to performing again at C Too.

It's been so hot lately as I'm practising and I visualise that lovely cool stone interior at St Columba's by the Castle and a cold beer after the show in their garden at the back.

I hope to see you there in August.

Post-Fringe recovery methods

First method - get self home and collapse in comfort (with a beer).
Second method - book a game of squash (or two).
Third method - get on the bike and go for a ride.
Fourth and somewhat vital method - get on with sorting out bookings while hammering the plans for next year into some kind of shape.

What a good time I had. I discovered another Edinburgh street or two I'd never been down before. Here for example; where the evening light made the top of this typical Scottish Parthenon look as if it was made of pure gold that evening. It was a little street just off Causewayside, where I'd been to Pataka for my dinner. Go there if you can - food delicious, interior interestingly Rennie Macintoshed and lovely people.

Edinburgh Fringe 2017... over halfway through

Still plenty of time to BOOK TICKETS  for my show: 'Homage to the Dance' as we enter the final week of the Fringe so try to come along - you'll enjoy some gorgeous classical guitar dance themed music.

I've had fantastic audience responses and some lovely reviews

Hard though it is to find time to get out and see shows (because I HAVE to do my usual daily practising) I've seen some great shows and still more to come. One memorable experience was seeing Ionesco's 'Rhinoceros' at the Lyceum. It was part of the main festival of course, not the Fringe but I'm not proud.

On the Fringe I particularly enjoyed Maklena. Good performances, some  moving moments and fantastic music by Oliver Vibrans.

I also enjoyed the great guitar skills in the show Declan Zapala brought  this year - 'Three Colours Guitar'. Definitely one for guitar enthusiasts to get tickets for.

And many thanks to Stephanie and Rob for taking this picture.

Edinburgh Fringe 2017

I'm back at Venue 4 from August 3 - 28  and can't wait to be in Edinburgh again. Join me for some guitar music if you can.  Book your tickets and I look forward to seeing you all there!

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.

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

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