The Rediscovered: Jon Gomm

Hypertension is the brand-new solo CD release from England's Jon Gomm, who is described as a triple threat - impossible sounding virtuoso guitar work, soaring vocals and a unique, instantly recognizable songwriting style. Comparisons to Michael Hedges vocal songs are probably inevitable, as Hedges used, and Gomm uses, a guitar and a voice to deliver what can come across to the listener as a much fuller sound. Gomm strives to replace a lot of traditional instrumentation with his array of guitar techniques, some of which come across beautifully on record, whereas others are probably even more impressive in a live setting. Hypertension contains two cover songs, but the nine originals (including the instrumental track, "Stupid Blues") really show off Gomm's strengths - look for this English guitarist to make major waves - on both sides of the Atlantic. Maxi Vacherand was originally profiled in the April-May, 2004 edition of The Undiscovered.

Jon only wanted a guitar for Christmas when he was just 2 years old. He got one. Now he has a bigger one, and throughout his career, Jon has played everything. He started with classical (although his guitar teacher was reluctant to take on such a young fellow!), meanwhile savoring every Beatles song. Then he discovered the dark magic of the blues, and then was lured into the super-fast look-at-me world of the 'rock guitar hero'. He learned to play jazz, to his own bemusement, and then, still reeling, decided he could make the most noise with an acoustic guitar and his mouth. He invented loads of new playing techniques, then heard Michael Hedges in late 2000 and realized that someone else had already invented them and made them sound like God yawning. Jon carried forth all these influences and pooled them into a lump of plastic, squashed it flat and polished it until it shined. That shiny disc is now known as Hypertension.

Gomm has gotten high-profile gigs supporting some of the most respected names on the acoustic circuit such as Tommy Emmanuel, Nick Harper and Woody Mann. He is slated to perform at the 2004 European Guitar Festival in Soave, Italy.

Jon Gomm
United Kingdom

Web site: www.jongomm.com