Jamie Lonsdale will be the first to tell you he is a newcomer to the music industry however his debut album “Footprints” featuring original compositions charted top 10 in the Classical Charts.
Natasha: You say music was just a hobby for you growing up. How did it all start?
Jamie: I was almost born in Chappell recording studios! My mother fionabentley.com was determined to finish her recording putting the Beatrix Potter series to music; when her waters broke, she made a mad dash in a black cab down the road to the London Clinic just in time to give birth to a 10ib baby Jamie.
At Ludgrove School I played the piano, scratched at the violin, and revelled in the choir. I remember singing harmonies for the first time, it was beautiful. Then at Pangbourne College, the bar was raised when Ralph Allwood arrived as the Music Director. Suddenly we were singing Carmina Burana and making an album!
The only prizes I used to win was the annual music prize; I guess that should have told me where to focus, but there was huge pressure from my grandparents to join the Grenadiers, the family tradition. I rebelled and joined the Royal Navy.
Natasha: Throughout the years, has music been something you’ve kept going back to?
No, from joining the Navy in 1978 until the death of my eldest son in 1992, there was little time for music in my life. But when Louis died aged 11 months of cot death, (no warning), I discovered opera. A kind friend gave me La Traviata, and by studying it, I vented my grief over a two week period; Louis had posthumously reignited my passion to sing. I joined the Wantage Choral Society and made rude noises amongst the bases singing some wonderful oratorios.
Natasha: Tell us a little bit about your career before you began to study music.
Jamie: Joining the Royal Navy at 19, I spent five years mostly at sea, including one year on board HM Yacht BRITANNIA sailing all around the world. What a wonderful privilege that was.
Inheriting a run-down farm near Oxford, I studied land agency at Cirencester for three years before spending the next 32 years improving the farm and restoring the listed buildings, pub, and creating a business centre. I also started a national forestry company, before then developing a black box trading system to cope with fluctuations in the stock market.
Natasha: What was the first song you ever wrote?
Jamie: I never thought that I would write a song…. In 2013 I was just shaving when a beautiful line came to me. I turned on my iPhone to record it. The next line came this time with lyrics, and after five minutes I turned off the record button and realised I had a complete song! I asked Robert Emery, the Conductor, whose song it might be, and was much surprised when he confirmed that it was mine, and mine only. This song is called “Streams” and is included in my debut album called “A Journey” which I produced in 2017.
Natasha: When did you realize that songwriting may be more than just a hobby? Did you have encouragement from any friends or family?
Jamie: As I have managed to extract myself from the day to day business management issues, I have created head space to allow my song-writing to flow. I couldn’t be sure that it would happen, but luckily for me it has. My friends have always been encouraging, particularly my dear sister Joanna who never misses a concert.
Natasha: It’s inspiring to see someone change careers and go after what they really want to do. What advice do you have for others who want to do the same?
Jamie: It’s never too late! Follow your passion, and face your fears. You don’t have to be the best; you just have to want it the most! Shoot the gremlins, don’t let fears stand in your way.
Natasha: Tell us a bit about your album “Footprints.” How did that come about and can you share a little bit about your special guests?
Footprints is an album of 13 new songs that I created in collaboration with other singers and pianists; it is so much more powerful as a result of working with other musicians, not to mention the orchestra of 60 professionals. Wow! Can you imagine hearing my music played for the first time by the Arts Symphonic Orchestra.
Mary-Jess, John Butler and I met up in November 2018 and in three hours we came up with three of our most popular songs: Set yourself free, Alleluia, and Circles. Then in Barbados, Sasky Louison, Rhea Drakes and I came up with an astonishing nine new songs in just two hours, jamming in the gym at the Coral Reef Club; six of these songs are on the album.
Miranda Heldt of course is a great soprano, who often appears singing at the Ritz no less! And let’s not forget the great conductor, composer, arranger, and orchestrator Robert Emery who has produced my second album “Footprints”. I shall always be grateful to him…. he is a musical genius.
Natasha: Your album has already gone to No.10 in the classical charts. What are some of your other goals as to where you’d like to take your music? Is there a particular singer you’d like to write for in the future?
Jamie: I would love to have the opportunity of putting on concerts on a regular basis; I just love performing to a live audience, it’s the greatest privilege in the world. I love to take people on a journey of escapism with love songs, heartbreak songs, jazz, and unluckily for them, a little of my own humour! Dad’s jokes, beware!
I’ve put on concerts in Hong Kong and Florence, and now want to revisit and include the USA, the Philippines and Sydney; nothing like having an excuse to travel. As half the album was recorded in Barbados, I hope to do a concert there, as I feel that it is heaven on earth.
I really enjoy writing duets for myself and soprano friends; the soprano and tenor voices go together well and I love harmonising…..and it is a great compliment when singers ask if they can sing my songs.
Natasha: You’ve mentioned that you don’t want to be Michael Buble but who are some of the artists you look up to?
I would love to be as talented as Michael Buble, not half! He’s a great performer and I like his voice. Pavarotti is King, and if I ever sound with 5% of his tone, I would be very happy. Florez for his ability to sing high with such ease. Frank Sinatra for his style. There are just so many good singers in the world. Aren’t we lucky! But it’s important as a singer to be true to oneself, one’s own voice, rather than trying to imitate other voices. Singing one’s own musical taste is key.
Thank you for taking time to read this, and I hope that you will enjoy Footprints; for information on future concerts, post covid, please go to www.jamie-lonsdale.com
