My Bristol Favourites: Jonathan Harper

Jonathan Harper is the chief executive of Paraorchestra, the world’s only large-scale virtuoso ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians.

Known for blending art forms and technology to create innovative new ways of experiencing orchestral music, they are at home headlining at Glastonbury, or taking a 70-piece ensemble playing pop tunes through the streets of Knowle West.

Based at The Station on Silver Street, Paraorchestra are working to radically change who connects with orchestral music, while also shifting the perception of disability by removing outdated barriers that “too often prevent a showcase of excellence in disabled players”.

On Wednesday, the ensemble will be performing Symphony of Sorrowful Songs in Bath Abbey, underneath Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon, as part of Bath Festivals.

Conducted by Charles Hazlewood, the sold-out show will feature acclaimed soprano Victoria Oruwari.

These are Jonathan’s top-five Bristol favourites:

Mollie’s

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“Our youngest son has a nut allergy so it can sometimes be hard to go out for food as a family without him being limited to a baked potato or cheese sandwich.

“At Mollie’s, the whole kitchen is nut free, the menu is great for all of us, the decor and service are top notch. You can pretend to be at a really cool American diner as long as you sit facing away from the view of the traffic going into Cribbs Causeway.”

Great creative social spaces

Paraorchesta partnered with Filwood Community Centre to perform SMOOSH! – photo by Ellie Pipe

“I’m not completely comfortable being back in busy venues yet, a pandemic does that to you I guess. Therefore, here’s to creative spaces that feel welcoming to everyone.

“We worked with Filwood Community Centre on the Knowle West show, SMOOSH! It is inhabited by amazing people all day long, is incredibly open to great ideas from all corners of the city and, brilliantly, it has a crazy golf course.

“Meanwhile, Watershed continues to be the most inclusive, forward -thinking venue in the city. Plus, the gin menu gets better each month and I met my wife there. ‘Go to Watershed, meet your future life partner’ should be their strapline.”

Blind Owl Coffee Company

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“I stumbled into Blind Owl Coffee when Paraorchestra were rehearsing next door to them at Propyard. Super friendly, some of the best coffee in the city and they deliver supplies to BS postcodes for minimal cost.”

Friendly Records

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“Is it a top-five favourites cliche to say that Friendly Records are the best? Who cares when they offer so much quality in a tiny shop.

“Worth noting that Paraorchestra has a new record out next April, a collaboration with the Mercury Music Prize-nominated Hannah Peel – and if you want the limited edition colour vinyl version it’s available to pre-order from here.”

Views of Bristol

“Bristol’s hills mean there are some great views of the city,” says Jonathan – photo by Lowie Trevena

“Bristol is topologically annoying but all those hills mean there are some great views of the city. In no particular order, I love the view from: Bedminster Down across South Bristol; from Perret Park to Clifton; from East Dundry Lane (especially when there are balloons taking off in Ashton Court); from Sea Walls down to Avonmouth; from the left-hand side of the Sea Mills to Temple Meads train after it leaves Montpelier station and you get a view across East Bristol; from Richmond Street in Totterdown across to Kingsdown, and from Kingsdown Parade back to Totterdown.”

Tickets are currently sold out for Paraorchestra’s Bath Abbey performance, but people can join the waiting list via: www.bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bath-festival/event/sorrowful-songs/

Main photo courtesy of Paraorchestra 

Read more: SMOOSH!: A musical meander through Knowle West 

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