Following several monumental decades of moving from South Africa to America, building a worldwide audience for his music while also raising his children to adulthood, sing/guitarist Jonathan Butler arrived at a crossroads in his marriage which ended in divorce. A few years later Jonathan met violinist Nadira Kimberly, who brought profound new meaning to his life. Her presence by his side became the inspiration for Close To You, his tribute to the hallowed pop canon of Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics).
Butler’s musical story began at age 12 recording the Burt Bacharach song “Please Stay,” originally recorded by vocal quartet The Drifters in 1961. Escaping then-Apartheid-poisoned South Africa through a love for music instilled within him from his parents and siblings, Butler has become a world-renowned singer, guitarist and entertainer via songs ranging from the pop of “Sarah, Sarah” and the soul of “Do You Love Me” to the jazz of “Deliverance” and his contemporary gospel classic “Be Encouraged.” Now 56, Butler has come back to Bacharach full circle with the music of Close To You.
