Jonathan Butler

“guitar-driven smooth jazz and vocal slow-jam maestro” – Soul Tracks

Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. He was born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty. However, Butler became the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. His musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in. But Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In many ways, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa.

Jonathan’s story begins at a very young age when his father presented him with a homemade one-string guitar. Little did his father realize that he was giving way to a musical phenomenon. In his early teens, Butler won a local talent contest, affording him the opportunity to perform with a touring musical company throughout South Africa. On occasion, he would perform at lavish concert halls for whites only, where he would not be allowed to use the bathroom. Then, the very next night he would perform in a dilapidated local township. Ultimately, his ticket to a new life was music.

Jonathan’s first single broke down racial barriers and won the South African equivalent of a Grammy. His commitment to his craft came to fruition with his self-titled debut album, which received a Grammy nomination for the pop hit “Lies.” Further, an instrumental “Going Home” earned him another Grammy nomination. Finally, the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah” confirmed Butler’s place in popular music.

However, to Jonathan Butler, success is measured on a higher plane.

Recommended for Fans of George Benson, Norman Brown, Boney James and Kirk Whalum.

LEARN MORE: https://jonathanbutler.com/

📸: Raj Naik