Jonny Mansfield

Biography

Jonny Mansfield is a percussionist (specialising in vibraphone) and composer. He has performed at many prestigious venues with respected musicians including Chris Potter, Gareth Lockrane, Stan Sulzmann and Yazz Ahmed. He has toured throughout Europe and performed at major venues such at the Bimhaus, Leipzig Jazzstage and the Royal Albert Hall. 

In summer 2019, Jonny released his debut album with his 11-piece ensemble Elftet after completing a 14 date UK tour funded by the Arts Council. Jonny's recordings have received extensive airplay and has been critically acclaimed worldwide.

Jonny was the recipient of the Tebbut Exhibition Award, Richard Turner Award, Scott Philbrick Jazz Scholarship and the Principals Award from the Royal Academy of Music. In 2018, Jonny was awarded the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize and subsequently signed to Edition Records to release his debut album featuring Chris Potter, Gareth Lockrane and Kit Downes. 

In 2020, Jonny completed his album in a day project – Portrait, where he composed, recorded, mixed and released an album within a day. He is also a founding member of Bonsai, who have released two albums and have toured extensively in Europe. Their most recent album was released in May 2019 on Ubuntu Music. 

As a composer, Jonny has been commissioned to write many works for his own projects and for other performers. Notably, he was commissioned by Marsden Jazz Festival to write an hour-long suite setting Simon Armitage (Poet Laureate) poems. This was recorded for a BBC3 Jazz Now broadcast and has subsequently been nominated for an Ivors Award - Best Large Ensemble Jazz Composition. Jonny was nominated for the same award in 2020 for his composition Present written for orchestra and vocalists. Jonny was commissioned to write a vibraphone and trombone duo for London Symphony Orchestra principals - Neil Percy and Peter Moore. This was premiered at LSO St. Lukes by Peter and Neil in 2019.