Who is Jayson Gillham?
This question is far too difficult! I am a person first, musician second; a perfectionist who has learnt to live with ‘good enough’; fairly reticent by nature but I have become practised at wearing my heart on my sleeve as a performer; an uprooted person who is a total homebody yet travels the world for my work. I am a pretty down-to-earth person who values substance over style. I don’t have very strong tastes – except when it comes to music, when I become very picky!
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would love to go back to the time when I was at high school and had all day to devote to learning, and there were no distractions from emails and phones. This time around, instead of taking all maths and science subjects, I would choose arts and humanities – especially languages and history. I would like to find out more about my family history and learn about Aboriginal history in the place where I was born. I would also like to be more curious about other styles of music and challenge myself to listen to something new every day!
Who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by those who use their privilege to lift up others who have less, and by those who are moved to do what is right knowing that it will come at a personal cost. One of my heroes is John Pilger, an exceptional journalist who brought humanity to the dehumanised, and confronted the powerful with inconvenient truths.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Learning to sing and to play an instrument, and having a quality musical education is something I believe all children should have access to. Music can teach us how to listen to, collaborate with, and learn from each other. It can certainly help us to understand ourselves better. And I’ve said this before, but I do believe music can help to build empathy. Seeing ourselves reflected in others and recognising our shared humanity is the only hope we have to make this world a better place.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I suspect I haven’t yet found my favourite holiday destination! I did enjoy going on a cruise for the first time recently. I have been to lots of places on holiday, but I don’t usually think of revisiting the same places. What sticks out for me about good holidays are the memories I made with the people I was with at the time, more than the location.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I would take them to some of the iconic landmarks on or around Hampstead Heath – perhaps first going to Parliament Hill (famous view of London’s skyline – probably too busy on a good weather day), then to the Hill Garden and Pergola (an unusual and beautiful architectural and landscaping folly – often described as a hidden gem but unfortunately becoming too well-known these days!), and finishing at the Spaniards Inn (a charming pub built in the 16th Century).
What are you currently reading?
Cactus Pear for my Beloved by Samah Sabawi. Samah gifted me this book many months ago, and I have been carrying it around with me on my travels seemingly for the sole purpose of padding out my suitcase. I’m now finally relaxing into this heartfelt family history and love story.
What are you currently listening to?
Tchaikovsky Orchestral Works with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Alpesh Chauhan (Chandos). Three albums of incredible passionate music rarely heard on the concert stage. I have been on a deep dive into Tchaikovsky because I am researching his music for an upcoming project – Tchaikovsky: Child of Glass – a play on the life of Tchaikovsky written by Tama Matheson and with music chosen and performed by me.
Happiness is?
Finding someone who really understands you, as you are right now.
What does the future hold for you?
My immediate future is taken up with rehearsals and logistical preparations for my first self-presented concert tour – Keys to Life – a two-piano recital with my close friend Iyad Sughayer, which we are performing in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney this July.
Subsequently, it’s all a bit up in the air. The only certainty is that my life will involve music. Performing, teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and I have a hunch that soon I might want to pursue some kind of research, whether that is officially through a university or in my own time.
Jayson joins Iyad Sughayer in Keys to Life – Two Friends, Two Pianos at Elisabeth Murdoch Hall – Melbourne Recital Centre (19 July), Concert Hall – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (22 July), Elder Hall – Adelaide University (24 July) and City Recital Hall, Sydney (26 July). For more information, visit: www.jaysongillham.com for details.
Image: Jayson Gillham – photo by Bruce Marshall