Jonny Kerry (b1990 –    )

Jonny who was born in Grantham, was a young teenager learning piano when his grandfather presented him with a piano accordion. It was a struggle at first.

He said: “I started trying to find albums to hear how it sounded when professionals played it. I discovered Art Van Damme and Richard Galliano and realised the accordion could sound really good.”

Today he wants to help popularise the instrument. “People often haven’t heard it before. At gigs they’ll come up and be quite open; they’ll say that they didn’t think they were going to come but are very glad they did and really enjoyed it. I get that all the time.”

His family moved to Stamford and he went to Aveland School Billingborough. From there he trained to be a chef at Grantham College. But his big draw was music.

His big moment was a TV spot in Peaky Blinders. In episode five of series three he played a hot-blooded folk tune at an energetically decadent Russian party the Brummie gangsters attend (vodka and accordion turn out to be a libidinous blend). “There were quite a lot of takes but it was worth it – a good experience,” Jonny says.

Beyond the UK the piano accordion can offer a quicker path to success. “I’ve got a friend who I speak to occasionally in Brazil who sings and plays the accordion and he’s got a million followers on Instagram. He owns Ferraris and is a household name, a pop star. I certainly don’t think for one minute I’ll have that kind of success in the UK, but it’s interesting to see how the accordion is still a very popular instrument in other countries.”

Kerry is optimistic about the future, pleased with the album, and hopes to get Arts Council funding for a tour. As for his own Ferrari, well who knows?

Jonny has created a colourful hybrid spectrum of sound that includes a stellar range of styles like Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, Bossa Nova, French Musette, Tango, Classical, and Folk.

He’s played everything from private functions, luxury cruise ships, celebrity parties, to showcase sets at concerts and festivals.

He is especially popular at wedding receptions, in particular Italian and French ones.

He’s had the pleasure and privilege of being able to share stages with some of the greatest talent on the Gypsy Jazz scene today like Jimmy Rosenberg, Paulus Schafer, Gary Potter, Christian Van Hemert, and Jason Anick.

A true professional both inside and outside of the studios and venues – Jonny Kerry has become one of the most requested and in-demand accordion players throughout the UK.