
Jonathan Reid grew up with traditional folk music, with his musical ear first attuned to its modes rather than the conventional major and minor scales. His father Colin was an unassuming but influential figure at a time of renewed interest in folk music – the late 60s and 70s – and Jonathan was in the pubs and clubs of north Cumberland listening, and from the age of 16, singing. By the time he left for University, Jonathan, with his elder sister and parents were quite a well known act on the folk circuit, singing four part unaccompanied arrangements of traditional songs.
Jonathan went to live and work at the Camphill community at Botton Village in 1980 where, apart from a brief interlude, he has lived ever since. Here, the celebration of the Christian festivals is very important, and this creates many opportunities to make music. Nearly all his formal compositions have arisen in response to the wish to celebrate these festivals, frequently arising from a perceived need for a specific song. The are highly user-friendly as they are generally in units of no more than 12 bars; yet they have a special quality and depth which communicates itself to anyone singing or hearing them.
Browse music by Jonathan Reid
Jonathan went to live and work at the Camphill community at Botton Village in 1980 where, apart from a brief interlude, he has lived ever since. Here, the celebration of the Christian festivals is very important, and this creates many opportunities to make music. Nearly all his formal compositions have arisen in response to the wish to celebrate these festivals, frequently arising from a perceived need for a specific song. The are highly user-friendly as they are generally in units of no more than 12 bars; yet they have a special quality and depth which communicates itself to anyone singing or hearing them.
Browse music by Jonathan Reid