Son of the late Indian composer and Indo-Jazz Fusions founder John Mayer, Jonathan studied sitar from Clem Alford (the first ever European sitar player), Pandit Subroto Roy Chowdhury of Senia Gharana and Ustad Wajahat Khan (direct descendent of Mia Tansen the great musician, one of the nine jewels in Moghul court of Emperor Akbar).
Jonathan studied composition at The Birmingham Conservatoire of Music under Andrew Downes and his father John Mayer. Through his career he has written for a multitude of genres and ensembles including – full symphonic orchestra, brass quintet, choral quartet, jazz ensemble, guitar & violin. His works have been featured on BBC world service and ITV and his compositions on The Teak Project have received rave reviews. Recently Jonathan’s composition can be heard on the CD entitled ‘Mantra’ performed by The Orlando Consort.
Jonathan is one of the most versatile sitarists in the world, having studied both Indian & Western music. From these traditions he has created a unique creativity towards the sitar, seeing it as a instrument and not a genre. His ability to read & compose western notation has enabled him to work on many collaborations and the wide range of artists Jonathan has worked with reflects the diversity in his playing:
Sir Paul McCartney, Future Sound of London, BBC Concert Orchestra, Bombay Dub Orchestra, Sarah Brightman,Joji Hattori, The Bingham String Quartet, Kathryn Tickell, Kumar Bose, Kavita Krishnamutri, Kuljit Bhamra, Erich Gruenburg, Rohan De Saram, Kenny Wheeler, The Orlando Consort, John Wilson, I Musici Fiamminghi Orchestra.
Jonathan has worked in most genres both live and in the studio including rock, pop, British folk, Bulgarian folk, plain chant, renaissance, baroque, western contempory, jazz, jazz fusion, Hindustani classical, funk & dance. One of his main attributes is having an electric sitar which gives more flexibility in the dynamic sound world of popular music. In collaboration with SPNM, Kuljit Bhamra, The BBC Concert Orchestra, Jonathan will be performing original compositions. The brief is to write an orchestral piece while keeping the integrity of ‘Rag’.
“Exhilarating solos from Jonathan on Sitar”
The Times UK
“Jonathan weaves a gorgeous modal jazz solo on the Sitar in 7/4”
Timeout UK
Audio Examples:
Howrah
Necrometer
A Real Nightmare
Headhunted
The Temple
