ABOUT
Jon Hopes is one of the most in-demand Trombonists in the South West of England. Known for being able to transition between Alto, Tenor and Bass Trombones Jon has a reputation for putting the requirements of the music first, regardless of genre, as well as being comfortable performing in various sizes of ensemble from chamber groups through to full orchestras.
Jon undertook his professional studies at Trinity College of Music in London under the guidance of Roger Brenner
(Trombone) and Sue Addison
(Sackbut) gaining a Bachelor of Music (Hons) degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Performance (Leverhulme Scholarship), specialising in period performance on Sackbut (Renaissance Trombone). Jon was also awarded the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble Prize whilst studying at the historic conservatoire.
Whilst studying at Trinity College of Music, Jon also spent time at Dartington International Summer School studying aspects of period performance with David Staff
(Natural Trumpet/ Cornetto) and Paul Bevan
(Sackbut).
Having been lucky enough to study and perform with some of world’s leading musicians and conductors Jon joined Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1999 as Trombonist. He was promoted to Musical Director in 2001, a position he held on-board Voyager of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and as the first Musical Director aboard Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world upon its launch in 2009. During this time he worked with musicians from all over the world as well as directing the ship’s orchestra which backed the majority of the ship’s entertainment and production shows, also including ‘Hairspray’ the first ‘West End’ show at sea.
In his time with Royal Caribbean Jon was fortunate to work with some of Broadway’s and the West End’s top performers such as Ben Vereen, Mikey Dolenz
and Jacqui Scott
as well as celebrities such as Joan Rivers, The Osmond Brothers, The Fifth Dimension
and Al Martino
to name but a few.
Jon returned to the UK in 2010 and since then has been working with various Big Bands and Orchestras. He is a regular member of Jeff Hooper's Big Band, performing at various venues across the country, and can be heard with several South West based Big Bands. With the Jonny Bruce/ Denny Ilett Big Band
Jon has worked with Bobby Shew, Pee Wee Ellis
and Fred Wesley
appearing
at the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival and at London's famed Ronnie Scott's jazz club. With Edward Leaker’s Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra
Jon has appeared with numerous top vocalists such as Clare Teal, and Claire Martin
and acclaimed Jazz Pianist Jason Rebello. In 2017 Jon was invited to work with renowned Saxophonist and Composer Andy Sheppard
performing his new live-score to Fritz Lang's 1927 cult-classic film 'Metropolis'.
Jon also performs with numerous function bands and can be heard from various orchestra pits performing a wide range of musicals, from the classics such as ‘Oklahoma!’ and ‘Carousel’ to newer hits of today such as ‘Sister Act’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Spamalot’.
When time allows, Jon enjoys working on commissions for various musical arrangements such as reconstructing classic big band numbers, writing arrangements for various sized ensembles or re-copying works which are now out of print. Please contact Jon
here for further information.
©2018 Jon Hopes