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

Download audio file (howrah.mp3)

Necrometer

Download audio file (necrometer.mp3)

A Real Nightmare

Download audio file (a_real_nightmare.mp3)

Headhunted

Download audio file (headhunted.mp3)

The Temple

Download audio file (the_temple.mp3)

http://www.jonathanmayer.co.uk/

http://www.myspace.com/jonathanmayersitarist

Theo Bard feels that his best way to communicate with the world is through music. Inspired by the stories found in traditional folk, he sets razor-sharp lyrics to a stripped-down acoustic guitar, allowing his words to speak for themselves. His musical journey started at the age of just 4, when Theo began learning violin. He is thankful for such early experiences. “Learning violin makes you humble,” he says. “There are just a handful of people in the world who have truly mastered the instrument. You learn to work hard, and always demand better from yourself. It’s all about discipline.” Perhaps this explains his prolific songwriting record, and dedication to his adopted instrument, the guitar. His time spent learning violin might also have contributed to his ear for a catchy tune.

“For me, songwriting is more about poetry than music.” He says. “Sometimes, I get an idea for a song which is just a concept. It might be a love song or a political one but the key is to make sure it’s really strong. I always think simple is best, because I want to be understood. At other times, it might be a few of the lyrics that determine what the song is about.”

In 2008, Theo saw reggae star Natty in a crowd at Secret Garden Party. “I immediately ran to get my guitar and approached him. I’d been onto his music for about a year and loved his bittersweet sound and lyrics. He’s got a great voice as well.” After a quick introduction, Theo asked if he could play Natty a song. “He was really open to it, which surprised me, so I played him “Listen”, then and there, and he immediately asked me to play another one. I couldn’t believe it when he asked me to play at his album launch, after I’d met him 10 minutes before!” Since then Theo has played Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Vortex Tour East, The Roundhouse and The Union Chapel.

He is equally at home in the world of folk. Well versed in the British tradition, Theo has performed with rising Scottish folk star John Langan, London’s Cut A Shine and regularly at The Magpie’s Nest folk club, who put him on the bill at Camden’s Roundhouse. “I’ve been learning folk songs since I was six,” explains Bard, “and have always loved the way the lines naturally lodge in your head, making the words easy to remember. It’s content. Content is the key” he gushes. “All I want to do is communicate. If you listen to a song of mine and at the end you’ve learnt about how I see the world, or how I feel about something, then I’m a happy man. I might even make you feel something similar too.”

Theo is the lead singer and songwriter in Brothers Bab, an 8-piece he started two years ago, pulling together ska, calypso, gypsy and reggae styles. It’s a fruity blend that few can resist. Regulars on the festival circuit, Brothers Bab marked the start of 2009 with their first release, “Freshly Squeezed.”

“I just wanted to put a smile on people’s faces” he says, “and maybe make them sweat a little. When I play solo, I communicate through my lyrics, but with dance music it’s totally different. The only way to put the music across is with your body. You have to fling yourself around. You’re like a singer, actor, dancer and MC rolled into one.”

As for the future, Bard is dedicated to developing on all fronts. “I’ve got so many songs now, enough for at least a couple of albums, and I can’t wait to get them all recorded.” It looks like he might not have to wait too long.

Theo is signed to brand new label Tape Records, and will release a second EP and debut album with them in 2009.

“Gratifying truth serum for your ears” – The Blue Light District

“reggae-infused pop philosopher” – East

“three-dimensional poetry”

Without You
Download audio file (without_you.mp3)

Middle Class Boy
Download audio file (middle_class_boy.mp3)

Everything You Have
Download audio file (everything_you_have.mp3)

Listen
Download audio file (listen.mp3)

All the Orders Gone
Download audio file (all_orders_gone.mp3)

www.myspace.com/theobard
www.taperec.com

Nikola Kodjabashia is a London based Macedonian composer who has studied with Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Anatol Vieru, György Kurtág, and Rolf Gehlhaar.

The composer of two critically acclaimed albums ‘The Most of Now’ 2008 & ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’ 2004 described by: Guardian, BBC radio 3, JazzZeitung, Lira, Giornale della Musica, All about Jazz critics as …”probably the best record of the year”…”Magisch!”…”un ibrido perfetto” …”masterful”…”Kodjabashia morphs effortlessly from assured composer-conductor through laid-back facilitator to multi-tracking keyboard wizard”…”result, drawing on every musical language from modernism to Shadowslike twang, is masterful.”…All composers want to sound unique – but few manage to be as distinctive as Nikola Kodjabashia.

He has scored and conducted music for numerous plays, including Sir Peter Hall’s BACCHAI at the National Thetare, WEDDING DAY OF THE CRO MAGNONS for Soho Theatre London/Dialogue Productions, HELTER SKELTER / LAND OF THE DEAD for Bush Theatre London/Dialogue Productions, music for MONSIEUR IBRAHIM AND THE FLOWERS OF THE QU’RAN for Bush Theatre London / Dialogue Productions Theatre Company London, Music for OLIVIER award winning Jonathan Kent’s production of HECUBA at DONMAR Warehouse Theatre, Covent Garden.

TV productions & films include music / sound-design for BBC4 TV documentary series RACISM, A HISTORY, music for Paul Tickell’s BBC / ARENA documentary SAINTS, music for Sasha Crouch Damianovski’s film GREEN PAGES for OREV film productions (Awarded at Chicago Film Festival, UK premiered at Glastonbury Film stage 2007), conductor / score-editor of Kiril Dzajkovski’s scores for Ivo Trajkov’s awarded motion picture THE GREAT WATER and Milcho Manchevski’s DUST feat. Joseph Phines and David Wenham.

Nikola is a guest Lecturer in Creative music technology and Music Composition for TV and Film Media at DeepBlueSound Studios and Campus / Plymouth City College. He was a nominee for the Arts Foundation Award 2004, and received the British Council Chevening Award 2000 / 2001. Nikola is Musical Director and co-founder of THE DIESEL ORCHESTRA and META4 ensemble.

He does not have a personal website; he invites people to type the keyword: ‘Kodjabashia’ into any internet search engine
His music is released by ReR, described by The Guardian as “one of the most adventurous and coherent of avant-rock labels”.

Tango De Bond (taken from ‘The Most of Now’)
Download audio file (tango_de_bond.mp3)

Sugarking (taken from ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’)
Download audio file (sugarking.mp3)

Lovesong (taken from ‘The Most of Now’)
Download audio file (lovesong.mp3)

Ave Tatho (taken from ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’)
Download audio file (ave_tatho.mp3)

7th Walk (taken from ‘Reveries of the Solitary Walker’)
Download audio file (7th_walk.mp3)

http://www.rermegacorp.com

Sam Ritchie is a London based Performer, composer and music teacher who plays with various ensembles. The highlights of Sam’s 2007 include starting his own band Q DOS with friend Simon Searle and performances at Glastonbury Festival with Cosmicorus and The Big Chill Festival with The International Love Collective.

Trumpet player with Reuben Richards’ Soul Train regularly performing at The Dover Street Wine Bar and many other venues in the London area, Sam is a regular session player collaborating with artists including: Gipsydelica, Cyclub, Oojami, Yup Knuckle and the Baskets, Last Mango in Paris, Yo Zushi, Ian Bennett, Rob McCabe, White Russians, Greg Derham, Adam Lipman, Jay Gipson, Siani, Mike and the Mechanics, Paul McCartney and the lovely Greta Lange.

Sam became a published Composer with The Extreme Music Library in March 2007 with the album Flash and has had his work broadcast on Sky TV, BBC 2, Radio 3 and XFM. With his move to Mai Plues, Sam has begun work on a debut solo album.

You might have heard them on Radio One, XFM, BBC6, Resonance or The Selector, or perhaps found them in The Sunday Times, DiS, Rough Trade, and even the Daily Mirror! They released their first single with Fierce Panda’s baby label Fandango, and soon are releasing their second single, Revolve, on April 7th, with Alcopop! Records.

They have a headline tour later in March, are Rocking Against Racism in late-April and. In December 2007 recorded their first album at the legendary Hook End manor, since closed.

They did two headline tours, and Huw Stephens brought them to BBC Maida Vale to do their first radio session. Nima had a cold. They toured with Ed Harcourt & Fields, and played shows with Vetiver, Akron Family, Clearlake, Sunshine Underground, James Yorkston, and many other fine people.

This unique band have a signiature sound; it flows, undulates, builds up, cools down, and transports you to a world without a name. Hush the many, heed the few.

Revolve
Download audio file (revolve.mp3)

Story end
Download audio file (story_end.mp3)

www.myspace.com/hushthemany