ACHIEVING success in the world of pop is tough, but how difficult is it to make the transition from classical composer to popular songwriter?

Edgware musician Jonathan FeBland hopes to prove this possible with his new album, Where Does She Go?

Despite a career in classical music, it has been a long-held ambition of Jonathan’s to move over into pop.

“I’m principally a classical musician but I have the talent to write in different styles, I’ve written jazz as well,” he says. “I’ve always been interested in getting involved in a pop project if the opportunity arose.”

But it was only a chance encounter with producer Mike Turtle on Facebook that finally got the ball rolling. Jonathan says had this not happened, the album would probably never have materialised, and he would have carried on writing classical music.

Having worked every day for six months writing the album, Jonathan was advised by health professionals to take three months off.

“I kind of overdid it in 2008. I wrote 30 songs, but I wasn’t sure how many were going to be accepted by Mike. In a way, maybe, I wasn’t confident in my abilities in this genre, but he liked 17 of them.”

Jonathan, who attended Haberdashers’ Aske’s School in Elstree until he left in 1978 at the age of 18, studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has written a number of classical albums.

He says it was Mike who provided the musicians and production know-how to turn his dream into reality. Those brought in to perform on the 14-track album include vocalist Jessica Knoll, who Jonathan rates very highly.

And he is pleased with what they have done with his songs.

“It’s radically different from me banging it out on the piano. I’m absolutely delighted with it. Now I’m working on a follow-up.”

Where Does She Go? by Jonathan FeBland is released on CD on July 7, and is currently available on iTunes. Details: www.wheredoesshego.com