Jonathan Veira : The Lockdown Sessions

Jonathan is a wonderfully talented singer and pianist, capable of singing an extraordinarily broad range of styles. He started his professional singing career as an opera singer, performing to great acclaim around the world. However, he loved singing and playing such a broad range of songs that he gradually grew his own One Man Show alongside the opera and in recent years the solo shows have become his sole way of performing - a regular 50 dates in a year was not unusual. Accompanying himself on piano or guitar, he also used his comedic talents to keep people enthralled, inspired and highly entertained.

At the start of the Covid lockdown he had a packed diary of One Man Shows with weekly dates around the whole of the UK. Suddenly this all stopped.

Undeterred - and encouraged by his wife Sue -  he turned his attention to streaming concerts on Facebook. On April 5 - with Sue on the technology and later singing with him - he tentatively started streaming as 'JV - Live from the Steinway Room'. Just him at the piano…or guitar…or banjo... keeping people entertained. On that first night thousands of people watched and have continued to join him every week. People from around the world have  been enthralled and uplifted - a phenomenon called the JV Community formed - and for so many it has made the Lockdown bearable. Deciding that he wanted to do a weekly 2 hour show he suddenly had the opportunity to perform so many songs that he loved but had never performed before. The audience feedback was instant - they loved them and began to make suggestions. Each week they enjoyed his renditions of ballads, jazz standards, blues, Spirituals, opera, G&S and of course Gospel songs from his previous CD releases.

Before long, his many regular attendees were clamouring for an album that would represent and highlight these joyful Lockdown performances. And so 'The Lockdown Sessions' idea was born.

However, due to a number of factors (including Covid), we aren't able to fund this album alone. That's where you come in. With the money raised, JV will be able to record a selection of these wonderful songs creating an album of eclectic styles that have been inspired by the Steinway Room evenings. He will be thrilled to be able to employ a number of fantastic musicians to help him on the tracks, who like JV have suffered a loss of gigs during Covid. Also, JV is excited to include the massed voices of some of his supporters. Just check out the rewards on the side of this page. 

We would really like to stress two things. Firstly, if we don't reach our fundraising total, then this album will not be able to go ahead. So if you would like a copy of this album, or would like to see it happen, then we would be be so grateful for you donations. Secondly, every penny raised goes towards the productions of this album and the costs involved. We've got a fantastic team working on this, and we know that if we are able to produce 'The Lockdown Sessions', then you will love the finished product. But without your donations and support, it sadly won't be possible.

'The Lockdown Sessions'... Let's make this happen!