Meet Jon Nickoll, Musician at The Chesterfield

What is your favourite thing about performing live music? 

The connection that performance can bring about with people never ceases to amaze me. To be in a room full of folks I’ve never met before who, through the sneaky magic trick of a song, suddenly become friends and confidantes. I never take that for granted, it’s incredible.

What was your background before coming to The Chesterfield? 

For the last 17 years I’ve been the resident musician at The Savoy Hotel's American Bar. However, through the tempestuous waters of the pandemic, that bar has been closed for over a year (although soon to re-open). I look forward to performing both there and at my wonderful Chesterfield Hotel HQ!

What was your first experience of performing?

Probably a talent show at aged eight, I was dressed in denim, played a guitar several times bigger than me, and sang the Elvis hit 'Return To Sender' and 'Love Hurts' by the Everly Brothers. I came second place, lost out to a girl who sang 'The Ugly Duckling'. I probably need therapy to talk this out further…

Tell me something about you that people might not know. 

I’m an obsessive record collector and I’ve been hosting a vinyl only radio show on Ramsgate Radio (The Vinyl Voyage) for the last 12 months. Each episode is an hour and a half, and I play all the weird, wonderful and obscure music from my own collection.

What does a typical day look like for you?

If it’s a weekday, I start the day off by getting the kids to school (they're 11 and seven years old) then go home and make a coffee. Then it’s either composing time at the piano, gig diary admin, planning my next radio show episode, or pretending I’m working whilst perusing my shelves of beautiful records. 

What’s your favourite kind of music to listen to? 

Mid 20th century right up to now. Jazz, rock and roll, singer songwriters, folk, progressive rock, and weird library music. I’m a huge Elvis fan, also the Beach Boys, and loads of 60s groups: Kinks, Hollies, Lovin’ Spoonful etc.

What do you do to relax when you are not working? 

I’m lucky to live opposite the sea in Ramsgate, so a walk on the beach is probably my go to relaxation activity.

What three words would you use to describe the music you play? 

That’s a tough one! Rhythmic, positive, and heartfelt.

What do you love most about performing at The Chesterfield?

I have played in hundreds of hotels and bars around the world and I can honestly say The Chesterfield is one of the friendliest hotels I’ve ever had the pleasure to perform in. The staff are amazing, the guests are lovely, and let’s not forget the amazing location, right in the heart of Mayfair. I’m definitely a Chesterfield fan.

What is your favourite thing about performing live music? 

The connection that performance can bring about with people never ceases to amaze me. To be in a room full of folks I’ve never met before who, through the sneaky magic trick of a song, suddenly become friends and confidantes. I never take that for granted, it’s incredible.

What was your background before coming to The Chesterfield? 

For the last 17 years I’ve been the resident musician at The Savoy Hotel's American Bar. However, through the tempestuous waters of the pandemic, that bar has been closed for over a year (although soon to re-open). I look forward to performing both there and at my wonderful Chesterfield Hotel HQ!

What was your first experience of performing?

Probably a talent show at aged eight, I was dressed in denim, played a guitar several times bigger than me, and sang the Elvis hit 'Return To Sender' and 'Love Hurts' by the Everly Brothers. I came second place, lost out to a girl who sang 'The Ugly Duckling'. I probably need therapy to talk this out further…

Tell me something about you that people might not know. 

I’m an obsessive record collector and I’ve been hosting a vinyl only radio show on Ramsgate Radio (The Vinyl Voyage) for the last 12 months. Each episode is an hour and a half, and I play all the weird, wonderful and obscure music from my own collection.

What does a typical day look like for you?

If it’s a weekday, I start the day off by getting the kids to school (they're 11 and seven years old) then go home and make a coffee. Then it’s either composing time at the piano, gig diary admin, planning my next radio show episode, or pretending I’m working whilst perusing my shelves of beautiful records. 

What’s your favourite kind of music to listen to? 

Mid 20th century right up to now. Jazz, rock and roll, singer songwriters, folk, progressive rock, and weird library music. I’m a huge Elvis fan, also the Beach Boys, and loads of 60s groups: Kinks, Hollies, Lovin’ Spoonful etc.

What do you do to relax when you are not working? 

I’m lucky to live opposite the sea in Ramsgate, so a walk on the beach is probably my go to relaxation activity.

What three words would you use to describe the music you play? 

That’s a tough one! Rhythmic, positive, and heartfelt.

What do you love most about performing at The Chesterfield?

I have played in hundreds of hotels and bars around the world and I can honestly say The Chesterfield is one of the friendliest hotels I’ve ever had the pleasure to perform in. The staff are amazing, the guests are lovely, and let’s not forget the amazing location, right in the heart of Mayfair. I’m definitely a Chesterfield fan.

When we travel again…
We shall go forth
with renewed gratitude
for the amazing gift that travel can be –
and the awe that comes from
finding ourselves at home
in places we have never been.

When we travel again…
We will see the world through new eyes
and deepened appreciation
for this truly magnificent planet we all share.
Not only will we take in the sights,
but we will hear the sounds. Breathe in the smells.
And savour the tastes – all waiting to be experienced.

When we travel again…
We will do so with renewed joy and purpose –
Joy as we create memories that last a lifetime,
and purpose that comes from knowing our travels
play a crucial role in the recovery
of communities we visit
around the world.

When we travel again…
We will venture forth with open hearts,
letting ourselves be guided
by wonder and curiosity
ready to connect to those we meet along the way -
our hosts, our guides, and our fellow travellers,
joined together in a journey of discovery.

When we travel again…
We will make travel matter more than ever before.
Knowing that how we travel
is just as important as where,
As we explore this wild and precious planet we call home,
Meet people around the globe who welcome us into their homes.
And discover magnificent wild creatures whose homes we visit.

When we travel again…
We will journey to places both near and far with those we love –
our partners, our parents,
our children, and grandchildren
and dear friends, some we’ve known for years –
and others we have yet to meet,
making memories all over the world.

When the time is right,
We shall go forth again.
Until then, we shall do what we have always done –
and dream of distant shores.
For while something deep inside us sleeps,
We know the sleeper will awaken –
When we travel again.