Jonny Hepbir started playing guitar when he was sixteen-years-old.
Drawn to the acoustic instrument, he studied and played Latin
and jazz styles exclusively. He was later signed by British
jazz label ‘33’ Records and released two well-received
albums. While under contract with ‘33’ Records,
Jonny toured his native England, performing at many of the country’s
arts centers, jazz clubs and festivals. Jonny remembers this
early period as highly rewarding, however, his learning curve
had just begun. Forever expanding his musical horizons and challenging
himself, he was later exposed to the influence of the legendary
gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Rather than settling for secondhand
instruction or interpretation of Django’s pioneering sound,
Jonny went straight to the source, studying the guitar style
of Western Europe’s gypsy community from the people themselves.
Perhaps this explains why his playing is indistinguishable from
that of genuine gypsies. Never one to follow well-trodden musical
paths, Jonny is recognized for his musical innovations in the
gypsy jazz genre. Like his pal Robin Nolan, Jonny will undoubtedly
become known as one of gypsy jazz’s ambassadors to the
world.
