British singer/songwriter Jonathan Taylor wins Akademia Music Award for 9/11 memorial song
Jonathan Taylor, known as ‘Odd Jonathan’ due to his profound dyslexia and learning difficulties has been awarded the prestigious ‘Best Folk Song December 2015’ by top record industry executives of the Akademia Awards, Los Angeles, with the comment that judges considered it to be:
“Odd Jonathan, despite the name, offers one of the most lucid narratives folk music has produced this year, fluidly foiled by an intricate fiddle descant.”
The comments made by Ken Wilson, who supports musicians interested in receiving a higher degree of market exposure and recognition in the new music business era are most appreciated by the artist. From senior posts at Arista Records, Columbia and MCA to J Records and Warner Brothers, veteran record executive Ken has shaped the careers of legendary artists such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Seal, Sade, George Michael and many more, leading to record sales in excess of $2 Billion.
The winning song “If Only (The Falling Man)” details the desperate plight of those trapped within the burning World Trade Centre following the attacks of 9/11. It was inspired when Jonathan watched the TV documentary ‘Voices from The Towers’ in which anguished relatives and loved ones spoke on film about how last minute answer machines messages from those trapped gave them a lasting memory, a farewell and a sense of closure. The artist has never detailed which particular story the song focusses on, merely to add that he “considers the track to be for all of them, none are any more significant than the other. This is a work that remembers them all, the victims of an unspeakable attack that killed so many.”
He adds “I am delighted that this song has received such a high status of recognition from such a high profile figure. My own experiences of profound abuse gave me a talent, I never know whether to consider my condition as a curse or a gift. Somehow I can descend into very dark places and return again with something beautiful. In many ways this is the song that should never have never written, but if such a song should exist, then I am delighted that it be this one…”
Jonathan was born in Warwick; UK. 1966, but removed to Bulgaria in 2006 to concentrate on his writing career. He has been regularly featured on Bulgarian TV and press and is an outspoken critic of the UKIP leader, Nigel Farage; which gained him much public support in his new homeland. “This is the second major recognition of my life” he states. In 1998 he was awarded, by nomination, ‘The Principles’ Award for Outstanding Achievement in Education’ whilst studying for his youth work diploma at Bradford & Ilkley Community College, North England. He had no previous formal school education, being placed on a supervision order at the age of just 13. A persistent truant he was quite illiterate when leaving school without qualifications. “I had not been entered for exams as all others were due to years of nonattendance. I was hated by many teachers and peers alike. I was terrified of school and was horrifically bullied and abused, you soon learn to keep away.”
I returned to part time education in my late 20’s and there after studied fulltime. After nine years I eventually gradated as a teacher, how ironic now when I think of it… These days I spend most of my time teaching English and have the pleasure of writing learning materials (to music) for the Cambridge based teaching and learner resource: English Club online. The 98 award recognised my need to succeed at all costs. I was hungry for education and loved every second of mature study; though had to do many resits including a full year. These days I have completed 15 solo albums and have written seven books; fiction novels. Sadly upon my diagnosis for dyslexia (I had no idea what the problem was at the time but just knew I was capable of so much more) my stepfather said “so you are still looking for excuses for being stupid” and upon receiving by Honour’s Degree (2.1) my mother added “Well anyone can get a degree there…” This was extremely hurtful, you realise it’s not what you do that matters but what people actually think about you. You just have to believe in yourself! This Akademia award means so much to me, it doesn’t matter what happens now, only that somebody has acknowledged my contribution to art and culture”.
If Only (The Falling Man) already features as part of the artist memorial gallery of the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York and former English language students of Jonathan’s, of The American College Arcus, Velicko Tarnovo: Bulgaria, created the accompanying video. “I told them what I wanted and they just got on with it” he said. An American flag drifts gently in the win as the names of all victims scroll upward across it. As the song finishes, due to the sheer number of named victims contained, it continues afterward for a further 15 minutes in silence. The song debuted on BBC Radio Leeds and features a sample recording, of the time, from BBC news reports.
Taylor ends: “This is not just a recognition of my work but a recognition of the contributions that all brain damaged or disabled writers can offer. We are not disabled, we are differently able… I had always dreamed of an acting career but my short term memory loss makes it impossible for me to remember lines… I can’t even perform my own songs without lyric sheets to prompt me, so music, no matter how dark the subject matter, allows me to put the emotional expression I need into song. It’s taken a while for it to be noticed and in many ways I thank the outstanding contributions of Canadian violinist, David Copeland, for doing this. A violin melody that haunts you throughout and carries it to a much higher level”.
Award verification here: http://www.theakademia.com/december2015_bestsong_folk4.html
Song and video here: http://jtbulgaria.wix.com/brittunculi
Further information immediately available via email: [email protected]
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