Jonny Hepbir Gypsy Jazz

Jonny has been working as a professional guitarist and guitar teacher for over twenty five years.

He is available to hire for both public and private events either as a SOLO GYPSY JAZZ GUITARIST or as part of his Gypsy Swing band, the JONNY HEPBIR DUO, TRIO, QUARTET & QUINTET.

It is also possible to book one to one GYPSY JAZZ GUITAR LESSONS with Jonny, which can be conducted in person or online.

Initially involved in the flamenco-jazz genre, Jonny played in a successful guitar duo for five years in the late 80's/early 90’s. During this time, he was signed to indie jazz label, ’33’ Records, and recorded two acclaimed albums of original material. This led to tours and workshops all over the UK, with concert performances in art centres, theatres, festivals, television and radio.

After the project had run it’s course, Jonny made the decision to re-learn guitar technique and began to study the Gypsy way of playing in the style of Django Reinhardt.​

Jonny has played with many of the great names in Gypsy Jazz today, including Bireli Lagrene, Lulu Reinhardt, Stochelo Rosenberg, Paulus Schäfer, Feigeli Prisor, Angelo Debarre, and countless other fantastic players.

From 1995 Jonny was soloist with the Sussex based Gypsy Jazz group, Ultraswing, until forming his own band, the Jonny Hepbir Trio, in 2006.

In 2002, Jonny signed to US label, Refined Records who released an album of his Gypsy-style originals titled ‘Grand Bizarre’ in the UK and ‘Turkish Blend’​ in the USA.​

He has had the pleasure of working with some superb musicians such as violinists Andy Aitchison, Mike Piggott, Tim Kliphuis, Steve Elsworth and Christian Garrick. Guitarists, Mundell Lowe, John Etheridge, Dave Kelbie, Robin Nolan and multi-instrumentalist composer/arranger, Charlotte Glasson.

The JONNY HEPBIR TRIO & QUARTET have been playing together for over 10 years, specialising in a vibrant mix of gypsy swing, jazz and funky latin, played on an all-acoustic line-up of two guitars, double bass and vocals.

The audience can expect to hear the band's exciting arrangements of American Songbook classics mixed up with tunes in Italian, French and Spanish!

The band have played throughout the UK and abroad, including private performances for Sir Paul McCartney, Roman Abramovich, Sir Terence Conran and Kool & The Gang and destinations such as The Isle Of Sark, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Morocco.

Other appearances include the Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois Sur Seine in France, Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival, L'esprit Manouche Festival, The International Gypsy Guitar Festival, The Love Supreme Jazz Festival in Sussex, March Manouche Festivel in Anglesey, Llandudno Jazz Festival and Swanage Jazz Festival.