Recently 30-year-old Johnathan Clarke is a soulful vocalist and songwriter from "off the Old Kent Road" based in south east London.  In case you didn't know or remember where that is he will tell you 'it is the first place on the Monopoly board'. Born to traditional hardworking, God-fearing  Jamaican parents Johnathan grew up listening to reggae artists of the generation from his Dad (who played bass for Desmond Dekker for a number of years), as well as soul singers of the 80s and 90s such as Luther Vandross Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass . I felt a special feeling listening to these artists and wanted nothing more than to replicate the soul of that particular music into my own repertoire.
He also felt personally blessed by the sweet sounds of gospel as he still remembers most of the hymns he sang from memory when is childhood. Such as ‘Pass me not O'Gentle Saviour ‘ and ‘Amazing Grace ‘ to name a few. Johnathan's current musical influences is the female composer and singer songwriter Laura Mvula, renowned musician Benjamin Clementine and others such as Imogen Heap and Bjork. Jonathan grew up arranging and performing nationwide with various acapella groups and choirs throughout his early years and teenage life Jonathan's first solo performance was at six -years-old and since then is humbled every time he ministers at his local church congregation at Balham SDA Church. Church members have told him on numerous occasions that he lifts their spirits every time he performs. One of Johnathan's greatest attributes to his craft is his amazing voice with a 5-6 octave range And a  unique marriage of tones and colours which he passionately uses to deliver every time. 
Johnathan paints a renaissance with each rendition and has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Clare Maguire for Burberry fashion shows 2014 and 2015. He has also recorded with award winning Nitin Sawhney and done backing vocals for a number of upcoming artists from the British institute of modern music in London . His largest stage to date was an opening performance with a choir at O2 Arena for Basement Jaxx. As a songwriter Jonathan talks of integrity but also of the matters human heart and he says 'my song  give insight into what it is like to be inside the mind of a 24 year old; very hopeful for the future still full of dreams and positive aspirations.'  

 Currently, the singer is wherever he can whether it be local at schools judging or performing at kid talent shows or recording singing videos for his social media outlets.  Johnathan has released an EP of songs he wrote were recorded during the stage of his life when he came out to his friends and family. Johnathan came out as gay at 20 years old and found it difficult coming to terms with his faith and sexuality. But now she says by "acknowledging I am gay I thought that somehow I had to leave the church but by writing honest songs about how I felt made, it me realise all of who I am the good the bad and the handsome can still be used by God for his glory through my honesty -no matter where I am or who I choose to be." Johnathan often refers to his songs as his babies and feels at peace with the content he created. He says “ the songs are an expression of freedom at a time when lockdown  had us feeling bound. His songs can be heard for free on his SoundCloud page. Currently Johnathan is involved in a number of music programs this summer, namely Raw sounds , Morley college and is a graduate of the Amy Winehouse Project.(see dates for showcases below) in addition to this, the 30 year old often attend open mics and networks with musicians from across the country. His plan is to study at a music college at Morley college and get his degree in Music Performance .




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