| Jon Gomm | |
|---|---|
Jon Gomm by Danny North [2] |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
| Occupations | musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | guitar, vocals, ukulele |
| Years active | 2004-present |
| Website | http://www.jongomm.com |
Jon Gomm is an English singer-songwriter and virtuoso performer, using one acoustic guitar to create drum sounds, bass lines and melodies simultaneously. His songs draw on a range of influences and styles, including blues and soul. Michael Hedges is an important source of inspiration. To date he has two solo albums and has toured full-time since 2004.
Contents |
Jon started playing ukulele at the age of two.[1] Classical guitar lessons began at the age of six, and at twelve he was accompanying his father, a music critic, to blues gigs in his home town of Blackpool. As a teenager he played electric guitar in the style of the rock greats.
On leaving school Jon turned down a place at Oxford University studying English to attend The Guitar Institute (now part of the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance [3]) in London. While there he paid his way through college playing jazz in café-bars, recording as a session guitarist, and playing Country music in Working men's clubs for line-dancers. He moved to the Yorkshire city of Leeds, where he is now based, to study on the Jazz degree course at Leeds College of Music.
His solo performances started in Leeds.[2] He extended the sounds he could make with an acoustic guitar – hitting the surface to make snare drum, bass drum and bongo sounds, re-tuning the strings to get bass sounds, and using high harmonics from the guitar for synthesizer-like effects. He worked these techniques into his own songs, and put his years of singing blues into use.
Musically he is a disciple of Michael Hedges, and as such part of a generation of guitarists using extended techniques which includes Andy McKee and Erik Mongrain. The tattoo on his arm is from the cover of the Michael Hedges album Oracle.[1]
Jon has rejected mainstream music industry values and practices and avoids playing chain venues and corporate festivals. His appearances are generally organised with independent promoters in venues like real ale pubs in rural areas, theatres or arts centre.[3]
In addition to his own performances, he has also played gigs with Tommy Emmanuel (Australia), Nick Harper and Bob Brozman.
He has performed at festivals including The Italian National Guitar Festival, The Garforth Arts Festival and The London Guitar Show at Wembley Arena. He performs regularly across the UK and Europe.
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| Studio album by Jon Gomm | |
| Released | 2003 |
Jon Gomm's first album, Hypertension, was released on his own label in 2003. All tracks are single takes, with no overdubs.
All songs written by Jon Gomm unless otherwise stated.
| Don't Panic | |
|---|---|
| Studio album by Jon Gomm | |
| Released | december 7th, 2009 |
"... influences from funk to heavy metal played in his engaging, aggressive and percussive way. Jon Gomm is an energizing personality in his guitar playing as well as in his singing." Henk te Veldhuis Bridge Guitar Reviews [4]
"...how on earth can one man play so proficiently a "one man band" style that puts full bands to shame?" Sandman Magazine [5]
"Leeds should feel very lucky to have such a performer to call its own" Leedsmusicscene.net [6]