JONATHAN ESCOTO BROWN

// Composer // Guitarist

Jonathan Escoto Brown is a composer of British-Filipino heritage from Birmingham, UK, emerging as a formidable talent in the world of film composition.

DOG RUN is Jonathan’s first score composed for narrative short, for which he received a nomination for the Crystal Pine Award for ‘Best Original Score for Short Film’ at the International Sound and Film Music Festival in 2023, and was long-listed at the British Short Film Awards in the same category.

CODE/SWITCH

Composer

Jonathan composed the original score for 'Code/Switch.' Written by Mikahil Sen, Isobel Wood and produced by Lakshantha Pattapola, the brief was to create a fusion of pan-Indian instrumentation with elements of the Trap and Drill genres.

Dog Run

Composer

Jonathan composed the original score for Lorna Nickson Brown's award-winning short film, DOG RUN. He received a nomination for the Crystal Pine Award for ‘Best Original Score for Short Film’ at the International Sound and Film Music Festival in 2023, and was long-listed at the British Short Film Awards in the same category. The score for DOG RUN is inspired by the work of Jazz musician Bill Frisell with echoes of hybrid guitar and synth driven scores such as Blanck Mass' CALM WITH HORSES.

Freelance Guitarist

Guitarist

An experienced practicing guitarist/musician, Jonathan’s passion for composing original pieces was fostered during his undergraduate study at the Leeds College of Music BA Jazz programme, from which he graduated with First-Class Honours. He has collaborated as a performer with world-renowned jazz musicians Ashley Henry, Matt Anderson, Reuben James and most recently, highly respected East London singer songwriter, Murkage Dave.

KIOKO

Composer, lead guitarist, vocalist, mix engineer

Multicultural, Birmingham reggae band, KIOKO, was formed in 2014. The band recently supported UK reggae legends, UB40, on a 40-date tour and collaborated on single, You Don’t Call Any More. Supported by the late Jamal Edwards of SBTV, KIOKO’s compositions have played on BBC Radio 1, BBC 1 XTRA and BBC Radio 2. KIOKO’s collaborations have included, The Wailers, the late, great Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and The Maytals, UB40, The Selecter and The Beat. The multicultural KIOKO represent modern Britain and a new direction for British Reggae. Jonathan is lead guitarist and has composed many original songs for the band. In recent years, he has also taken on the role of vocalist and mix engineer for the band.

Power

Composer

Jonathan composed an original composition for the musical and narrative performance, POWER, for the Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust, with Grammy award winning percussionist, Lekan Babalola and highly respected Clarinetist and arranger Kate Luxmoore. The original composition for POWER was influenced by the production prowess of Reggae powerhouse Duo Sly and Robbie

Samples

Composer

Although well versed in composition within both the Reggae and Jazz genres, Jonathan's compositional approach, and asthetic, means he is versatile and can create music suitable for a range of projects. Jonathan's work is routed in communicating and supporting the feeling of the narrative. He finds inspiration from composers, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Trent Reznor, Johnny Greenwood and Jóhann Jóhannson.

"Just one listen to this multi-talented composer, musician & songwriter, Jonathan Escoto Brown, one realises that whilst this specialist is creating great work right now, the future will be incredibly bright for someone with such abilities. A strong positive force which has achievement & success written all over it in bold capitals!"
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-Spider J, Roundhouse Trustee, Mentor, and Music Producer

"A wonderful, enchanting score"

-Tom de Freston, artist and writer

"Perfect mood capture, transforms the images and increases the drama."

-Tim LONDON, MUSIC PRODUCER

"Jonathan’s sensitivity and natural ability to navigate storytelling through feeling makes film a perfect home for his incredible musical talent. His music is full of beauty, nuance and truth. It elevates the image ”

-LORNA NICKSON BROWN, SCREENWRITER AND DIRECTOR