Jonathan Kirkscey is a composer, producer, cellist, and guitarist who regularly performs with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Blueshift Ensemble, of which he is a founding member.  A strong background in both classical and popular music has given him a reputation as a very versatile musician.

As a film composer, Jonathan recently scored the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor", a film about Fred Rogers which opens in theaters in June of 2018. He also scored “Best of Enemies”, directed by Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom) and Robert Gordon, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. His score for “Best of Enemies” earned him the International Documentary Association’s award for best original music in a documentary feature.  Jonathan also composed music for several Netflix original documentary series including "Chelsea Does" and "Abstract: The Art of Design".

His other feature scores include Mike McCarthy's "Cigarette Girl", the documentary "2 Million Minutes: The 21st Century Solution", Craig Brewer’s debut feature "The Poor and Hungry", and "Only Child" from director Brian Pera.

Jonathan has composed music for both narrative and documentary shorts including "A Fighting Chance" from director Morgan Neville, a documentary short profiling several hopeful Olympic athletes. Other short films include "A Tangible Birthplace"and "The Fatted Calf" from The Soundtrack Project which aired on PBS, and "Bookin," an award winning short documenting a collaboration combining Jookin, a street dance, and classical ballet. He has also scored advertisements for clients such as Sunbrella, Boys & Girls Club, Columbia University, and Weill Cornell Medical College.

Jonathan has provided arrangements for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and has had several original pieces for orchestra performed by the MSO. As an arranger and performer he has worked with Cat Power, Al Green, Ra Ra Riot, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, Steve Jordan, Daniel Johnston, Jay Reatard, North Mississippi Allstars, Lucero, Amy Lavere, Kallen Esperian, and many others. He can be heard playing cello on film soundtracks for The Poor and Hungry, Black Snake Moan, and My Blueberry Nights.