Jonny Kerry op accordeon (GB)
Jonny grew up in a musical family, his parents played in a country and western band along with his aunt and uncle who toured the UK with Chet Atkins. His paternal grandmother was a skilled pianist, and his mother's parents played in the Salvation Army brass band. At a very young age Jonny became fascinated with the piano, it was through this instrument that he would discover his love for music and singing. At the age of 14, Jonny played an accordion that his grandfather bought for him and from this he found his passion for the instrument.
From the age of 17 Jonny started playing the accordion and singing semi-professionally with the Gypsy Jazz band from Nottingham called 'Maniere des Bohemians' alongside his brother Matt Kerry and three other band members. The band played venues and festivals across England and featured on “BBC-introducing”. Working tirelessly over the years to refine his own style and sound, Jonny has played hundreds of shows and events across Europe and built a reputation for sheer excellence through his authentic talent and hard work.
After getting his first break in the critically acclaimed BBC drama Peaky Blinders, Jonny seized the momentum and turned his experience into brand new opportunities. With his own style inspired by the influence of greats such as Sinatra, Monro, Piazzolla, Reinhardt and Richard Galliano, with whom Jonny personally studied, Jonny has created a colorful spectrum of sound that spans a range of styles such as Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, Bossa Nova, French Musette, Tango, Classical and Folk. He has played everything from private events, luxury cruise ships, celebrity parties to showcase sets at concerts and festivals.
He has played for companies such as Warner Records, Ferrari, Renault, John Lewis, Café Rouge, Virgin Media and the BBC. He has had the pleasure and privilege of sharing stages with some of the greatest talents on the Gypsy Jazz scene today, such as Jimmy Rosenberg, Paulus Schäfer, Gary Potter, Christian Van Hemert and Jason Anick.
Watch and listen: Promo video "Exactly like you", and the own composition "Castelfidardo"
Both songs are on his latest album "Castelfidardo" released in December 2021 and will be played on April 16 with Paulus Schäfer on guitar and with the combo Bert van Erk and Rene van Astenrode.
Website: https://www.jonnykerry.com/
Paulus Schäfer op gitaar (NL)
Paulus Schäfer (born 1978) is one of the most talented Gipsy Jazz guitarists in the Netherlands and is widely recognized in the Gipsy jazz scene. Born in the Dutch Sinti community, he learned to play the guitar at an early age. He learns by listening to his idol Django Reinhardt and other great Sinti guitarists. He learns most from Wasso Grünholz - a legend within the Sinti community, who encourages him to develop his own sound.
Shortly after Paulus takes over lead guitar from Jimmy Rosenberg in the Gipsy Kids, he starts the Paulus Schäfer Gipsy Band and produces his debut album Into the Light in 2002, followed by many concerts and numerous - headlining - invitations to jazz festivals
Paulus is a much sought-after soloist and shares the stage with many musicians, such as The Rosenberg Trio, Biréli Lagrène, Stochelo Rosenberg, etc. and is featured as a guitarist on many albums. In 2006 he made two CDs with his own band: Desert Fire and Live at the NWE Vorst with The Tilburg Big Band.
In March 2012 he releases his CD album Twelfth Year with renowned musicians such as Tim Kliphuis, Nous'che and Stochelo Rosenberg. Two new albums will be released in the same year. The surprising Rock Django and the Scandinavian CD with Hot Club d'Europe Kouvola Junction.
In November 2014 he records the CD Rocky with his trio and accordionist Dominique Paats.
With his latest album Letter to van Gogh in October 2015, Paulus Schäfer honors this Dutch artist from Brabant. A unique album with only own compositions.
As a representative of the Dutch School, Paulus Schäfer has a specific, recognizable and catchy sound: an always swinging gypsy jazz. Moreover, he is constantly looking for an innovative and modern sound.
Violinist Tim Kliphuis characterizes Paul's playing as follows: “His singing tone, terrifying technique and well-balanced solos”. On May 30, 2013 he received an award from the International Guitar Festival 'The World of Guitar' (Kaluga – Russian Federation) for his 'special contribution to contemporary development of Gypsy Jazz'.
Website: https://www.sintimusic.nl