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PRESS RELEASE
MARCH 2015
Ace sitar player appears at London’s first-ever FestivalAsia
Sitar player and composer extraordinaire Jonathan Mayer - who has appeared with artistes
from Paul Weller to the BBC Concert Orchestra - is set to give a special performance at the
debut of FestivalAsia, London’s largest indoor festival about all things Asian incorporating
everything from food, fashion, cultural artefacts and music to yoga, spirituality, martial arts
and language lessons.
Festival Asia embraces the huge diversity of Asian cultures chosen from the 29 countries
making up this intriguing continent. With over 150 exhibitors and a main performance stage
along with a cultural room, a spiritual room and children’s entertainment, there will be
something to suit all tastes at this unique three-day spectacular at Tobacco Dock from 15th17th May 2015.
Jonathan has worked in musical genres including rock, pop and folk, Baroque, jazz, Indian
classical, funk & dance. As a composer he has written works for ensembles such as The
Orlando Consort and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.Son of Indo-Jazz Fusions founder
John Mayer, Jonathan studied composition and music at the Birmingham Conservatoire. He
is one of the most versatile sitarists in the world, having studied both Indian & western
music and accordingly has developed a unique instrumental style. His ability to read western
notation has enabled him to work on many collaborative styles which reflect the diversity in
his playing.
He is currently working with Docklands Sinfonia on the UK premiere of his Sitar Concertoand
is also writing A Young Person’s Guide to Indian Music, commissioned by the London
Philharmonic Orchestra. Jonathan is the world’s first exponent of the newly developed
‘pygmy sitar’ and is also co-founder of First Hand Records Ltd.
Over the years Jonathan has played all over the world both as a soloist and in collaboration
including India, Sri Lanka, UK, Abu Dhabi, Monte Carlo, France, Germany, America, Russia,
Australia & Bangladesh, at venues and festivals including the South Bank Centre,
Glastonbury, The Big Chill, Kazan peace festival, the Konzerthaus Berlin and even a private
performance at 10 Downing Street.
At FestivalAsia Jonathan will be performing in an Indian music duo with tabla
accompaniment.
He said: “I am very excited to be performing at the debut of London’s first-ever FestivalAsia.”
www.facebook.com/jonathanmayer
@JonnySitar
www.jonathanmayer.co.uk
For further information or to arrange an interview
contact Teresa Quinlan 020 3551 3970 or email [email protected]
Editor’s Notes:
 FestivalAsia will be held 15th-17th May 2015 at Tobacco Dock, E1W 2SF
 Tickets are priced at; Adults £12.50 in advance £15 on door, Children £8 in advance
£10 on door
 For more information about the event, opening hours or to purchase a ticket please
visit http://www.festivalasia.co.uk/ or click here
 Tickets are also on sale at leading ticket agents including www.chillitickets.com,
www.seetickets.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk (booking fees apply)
 Click here for details on sponsorship, exhibiting and advertising packages
 FestivalAsia is created and produced by Lilisan Ltd, in collaboration with Barley Arts
International
 Follow us on social media for latest announcements and news; Facebook FestivalAsia Twitter - @FestivalAsiaUK