Jonty Lefroy Watt is a 24-year-old composer and pianist based in London. He studied music at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, and received a master’s degree from the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Edmund Finnis.
In 2021, Jonty won the Henfrey Prize for Composition, a competition open to students and recent graduates from the University of Oxford. His winning piece self portrait with rain, performed by Trio Atem, was described by Judith Weir, then Master of the Queen’s Music, as “endlessly inventive”.
Recent projects include Roma Indicta, a song cycle for mezzo-soprano and guitar with settings of poetry by Zadie Loft, which toured the UK following its world premiere in London in September. Its next performance will be at the prestigious Presteigne Festival of Music and the Arts in 2026. Other works include chamber pieces, such as The air’s soft whispers for flute, cello, and piano, LuX for string quartet, and Stage; left for brass septet.
In 2023, Jonty’s piece ‘Now, I enfold you’ was released by October House Records, as part of their Ways of Watching album. You can download or purchase here.
In addition to his work as a composer, Jonty performs as a pianist, primarily with singer-songwriter Ally London, together covering a wide range of genres, from classical to jazz and pop. He also doubles as a rehearsal pianist for various choirs in the greater London area.
Listen to Jonty’s music on Bandcamp and watch performance videos of his pieces on YouTube. Subscribe to his newsletter below and follow him on social media to hear more about upcoming releases and concerts.
