Jon started playing the guitar at the age of 9 after three failed attempts at learning the piano. He instantly formed a band with school mate Rob Bedwell who played drums. It was pretty rough but a good opportunity to learn The Beatles back catalogue. The band performed a few local gigs and went through many different guises before finally falling apart.
At the age of 12 Jon met Colin Pincott, legendary session guitarist who became Jon's tutor and mentor. Colin inspired and encouraged Jon to practice all the time and to make a career out of music. Jon went on to perform various gigs with Colin and under his instruction scored an honours pass at LCM Grade 8. All this time, Jon was still playing with various bands and gigging most weeks. He had discovered his voice and was now singing as well as playing guitar. Colin also taught him to play bass, and Jon had continued messing about on the piano.
Candlelit Dinner for Three was the band that Jon was in with Rob Bedwell on drums and Jamie Thatcher on double bass. Their Louis Jordan inspired swing style saw them performing on TV and radio and at various universities around the country. There also followed a band with Tom Baxter called The Fat Matrons in which Jon and Tom wrote many songs together. The voice of Tom that can be heard on TFM's demo CD is unrecognisable from the fantastic voice he now has, that can be heard on his album 'Skybound'.
After leaving school Jon started out as a self employed musician. He set up and continues to run a successful tuition business specialising in guitar and bass, but also teaching drums. He runs bands and workshops, arranges horn sections and vocal harmonies. He plays many gigs with his band The X-Men with Rob still on drums and his brother Justin Bedwell on bass. Their three part harmonies have seen them play functions all over the country.
Jon has also played many sessions in all different styles. He has worked with Tino Gonzales, and can be seen playing on Tino's DVD 'Person to Person'. He has also worked with cellist Hank Roberts (ex Bill Frisell, Andy Summers and Sting), saxophonist Fuasi Abdul Khaliq and the legendary drummer Kenny Martin. Jon has played with the unbelievably talented Roger Eno, the very ambient brother of legendary music producer Brian Eno. Jon also played on singer/songwriter Matt Shepherd's 2006 album 'The Village Idiot' along with Jim Clarke on bass.
As a solo artist Jon has recorded three CDs.'Jazz Guitar' was the first, which featured Jon's arrangements of some jazz standards. The second, 'Meet The Band', again featured Jon's arrangements but this time was more musically diverse. It covered many styles and included four of Jon's own compositions and all were played on acoustic guitar. One of Jon's arrangements from this album was used as the background music for a radio advert.
The third CD is entitled 'In My Own Time' and features fourteen of Jon's own compositions, played on a variety of acoustic guitars. More details on these albums can be found here. Jon has played at venues such as The Dorchester Hotel, The Commonwealth Club, Petrus at The Berkeley and for the likes of Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Jon's first tuition book, 'Play Guitar In 10 Easy Lessons' is published by Hamlyn and was released in December 2006 on worldwide sale. The book can also be purchased here.
The Jon Buck Projectis a new band featuring Jim Clarke on bass and Craig Bacon on drums. Keys player Dave Foster adds a soulful piano/organ vibe to the tight rhythm section. They have recently been in the studio working with producer Cam Blackwood on a new album fusing blues, funk and rock to give a unique sound. Release date details will be listed here when available.