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West End violinist Jonathan Hill has a long history with Jersey - having led the Jersey Symphony Orchestra through the 90s, he fell in love with the island, returning on a regular basis.
His work includes films such as Lord of the Rings, and leading on 15 West End shows, including the latest iteration of Les Miserables.
But when he's not leading the sound of the Paris Rebellion, he is often back taking in the sights of the coast.
Islanders will have most recently seen Jonathan in St. Ouen's Bay last month in his best cape and tights, where he ran the equivalent of the London Marathon to raise over £1,000 for charity.
Though he is now back in the UK, Jonathan set aside his instruments for a while to give Express his five favourite things about Jersey...
I wouldn’t have been able to have a relationship with Jersey for nearly 30 years without the support and kindness of the wonderful people I’ve met over the years.
In 1993 I was invited to lead the Jersey Symphony orchestra as a second year student at Guildhall School of music and drama and was extremely impressed by the level of local classical players from such a relatively small population. They welcomed me with open arms and gave me my first taste of island life.
Pictured: Heather and Tony Ellison welcomed Jonathan into their home when he was visiting to lead the Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
I had to leave that position in 2001 when I was signed to EMI Classics as violinist in a classical fusion band called ‘The Planets’. Strangely enough, breaking my musical association with the island at that time was a tough decision but those closest to me said, ‘Don’t be a stranger,’ and I ran with that instruction by tripling the time I stayed on the island in the coming years.
Heather and Tony Ellison (the latter sadly now deceased) were my host family and over the years were totally unquestioning of my almost manic approach to fitting everything I could possibly try to do in a short three to four-day stay.
It always surprises me how incredibly diverse the different parts of the island are. That was brought home to me when I undertook running the Island Walk. I’m a prolific marathon runner and, yes, I know it’s a walk and there is an actual round island challenge, but... I’m a performer and the idea of a fantastic finish line with clapping and cheering really appeals!
So joining up all the bays and roads and headlands by running was incredible and gave me an idea of how wonderful the island is. I made a point of going back when not in such a wrecked running state to various bars and cafés I passed en route.
Pictured: A sunrise near Rozel was one of the sights Jonathan took in on the Round Island Run.
I’ve done the run nine times now and came first once (by about 3 seconds) but only because the beautiful scenery - from the ruggedness of the north cliffs to the Sandy beaches of St. Ouen, St. Aubin and St. Brelade - becomes the wind beneath my wings.
Those that know me would think that relaxation is hardly something I search for in Jersey with constant jumping in the sea to body board, jumping in Havre Des Pas to swim and running all over the place but... London for a musician, certainly up until the covid pandemic, was a manic place.
I’m the leader of Les Miserables as well as a guest principal violinist for several of the London session and concert orchestras.
Pictured: "You can pretty much see the sea from anywhere..."
The interlocking demands of rehearsing and performing give little respite.
Jersey is a fresh air paradise and seeing the horizon over the sea while doing daft sporty things is a huge release of tension. And you can pretty much see the sea from anywhere. And if you can’t you’ll be somewhere beautiful like woods, or sand dunes, or hidden valleys.
In the entire world I can’t think of a better place to be currently. My last visit I took the unprecedented step of setting up a small recording studio so I can continue to work remotely as best I can. Unfortunately music - certainly the ‘live’ aspect - has suffered immensely during the current crisis.
There are technological innovations like internet teaching and live streaming that take some of the sting out of it but nothing beats an audience and the wonder of joint music-making. All gone. Nobody would ask a surgeon to operate remotely from another city or a chef to add a personal touch to your recipe you’re making at home. Same with music.
Video: Jonathan attacks the Star Wars soundtrack.
Technology is also a barrier to we do. It makes those that don’t know or understand think that music and art can successfully continue at this time.
Rant over. Most wonderfully, I teamed up with a hidden gem of a composer/musician/entrepreneur/genius on my last visit and co wrote an album with him. Every single moment of music created was inspired by sea views and the feeling of relative safely Jersey gave me over the last few months.
5. The Minquiers
After the Trail Monkeys Double Top Ultra Marathon involving running the north cliffs in both directions, but before the London Virtual London Marathon on St. Ouens Bay, I took a rib excursion to the Minqueirs.
I must say I would NEVER have expected to see anything like that place outside the Bahamas. It absolutely blew my mind.
Pictured: "I must say I would NEVER have expected to see anything like that place outside the Bahamas."
I could barely walk after the Ultra but still managed to run an 8km loop as it was an exceptionally low tide. Endless sand. Sun. Sea. And a Strava report informing me I’d just run on the seabed.
What more could anyone want?
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