Artist in the Hotseat: Jonny Hepbir
Jonny Hepbir took time out of his busy schedule to chat about his fascinating life. From his venture into Gypsy jazz, a one-off performance on a roundabout (yes, we said roundabout) and meeting Paul McCartney at a Christmas party, there’s plenty to learn about our favourite jazz guitarist.
1) Throughout your career you’ve released so many albums. What is the favourite album you have released and why?
My originals album (Grand Bizarre UK/Turkish Blend USA) which I recorded over a few months late 1999/2000, I wrote everything and did all the arrangements on a small £12 cassette recorder from Argos. I had some top muso friends come and play on it and although playing-wise, now I'm a better musician, it was a real labour of love. I made 100 copies and randomly sent 20 off into the world. A year later I received a phone call at 4am from the USA. It was the head of a record company offering me an advance of $5000 to release it on his label in the states, which obviously, I took up. It was my second record deal and came as a massive surprise. Still proud of that one.
2) You’re obviously hugely influenced by Django Reinhardt and the gypsy jazz tradition, how did you discover this genre and why did it make such a big impression on you ?
I heard Django in my teens but the music didn't speak to me at the time. Years later when I came out of the Flamenco jazz scene (lots of tours, few albums etc) I was a bit lost musically and as a guitarist. I went over to the Samois Festival in France in 1995 (where he lived and died) and saw how the Gypsies play guitar. It made such an impact on me that I switched style and never looked back. So inspiring and so much to absorb and learn, I think I practice now more than I ever did. It's great, on a basic level, just two players, two acoustic guitars and you're off! I've spent a lot of time over the years playing with awesome Gypsy players, they're the best on all levels with this music, I learn so much playing with those guys, always inspiring.
3) What’s your fave song to perform and why?
That's a really tricky question! Any of the repertoire tunes in the style, even some of the more banal ones can be transformed if the other player has proper swing in the rhythm and the vibe is good.
4) Tell us about the most memorable gig of your career- good or bad ?
Too many! too many stories! haha. One that springs to mind, a few years back when Jason and I found ourselves on a rooftop in Morocco playing Gypsy jazz to rich young Moroccans for an hour or so after gigs and a party the night before in Brighton. Two hours sleep, get on the plane, get off the plane, go play in suits in searing hot temperatures straight away. After, I relaxed in a cold bath in the hotel while Jason went swimming in the sea and almost became shark-food. In the evening before we went back we fancied a drink which proved problematic being in a Muslim country but we eventually found hidden in a side street, a TGI Fridays! Selling cocktails! All very surreal but great fun!
5) Where’s the strangest place you’ve performed?
Off the top of my head, I've played in a supposed haunted tower, under a car in a garage, on a wobbly raft in the middle of a lake, on a roundabout, a train, plenty more weird and wonderful locations too. Love them all!
6) What are the best bits of working as a solo artist and as part of larger ensembles, such as your duo with Jason?
Just playing, I really love just playing my guitar in this style. It's always fab playing with other players and I consider myself very lucky that I've had the opportunity of sitting alongside some truly fantastic musicians.
7) The proudest moment in your career?
Maybe the USA deal, playing/hanging/learning with Bireli Lagrene and Lulu Reinhardt, getting to play with awesome players in awesome locations and still doing it. Also quite proud of my band Youtube Channel, a lot of people like our stuff it seems.
8) What was it like performing for Sir Paul McCartney? It must have been so surreal!
Yes indeed! It was a private Christmas party in London, He came and was instantly checking the band out despite being swamped by friends etc. He came over just at the point when I was nodded the first solo on a tune, stood about a foot away right in my face looking at my fretboard. I had a split second to suss out my opening phrase/approach. Normally I might have done some mental Gypsy style sweep arpeggio thingy but I opted for an old school blues style phrase. He beamed at me and winked. As he walked off I think I then went for the mental stuff haha. He was good fun and came across as a nice fella.
9) Who or what is your ‘guilty pleasure’ musically?
Lieutenant Pigeon - 'Mouldy Old Dough', Roger Glover - 'Butterfly Ball', Pantera -'Strength Beyond Strength', Frankie Valli- 'Rag doll', loads of other random stuff.
10) Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians seeking to pursue music as a career?
In 1992 Katia Labeque the famous classical pianist told me to 'work well' which was good advice. Other than that, I'd say be determined and learn to avoid time-wasters, exposure - bucks gigs and sharks(business ones and the bitey fish beasts).
Book tickets to Jonny Hepbir at Revelation here
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