DIRECT CONTACT: jon.larsen at getmail.no - just use "@".
I am on facebook.
I started out as a guitar playing painter, and had my first solo exhibition of paintings in April 1976. The same month I had my very first gig on the guitar, with my string trio Clo-Z. Then followed Salvador Dal� studies in Barcelona 1978-1979, and annual exhibitions of paintings and drawings for the next 20 years, but also studies of the guitar artistery of Django Reinhardt, etc. Early influences were the surrealist painters, Frank Zappa, Django, Astor Piazzolla, Boulou Ferr� (and his father Matelo, and uncle Baro.!) and only later more mainstream jazz. In 1982 we had a radio hit together with Lillebjorn Nilsen "Tanta til Beate", which led to continous tours ever since. However, in the mid 90-ies the urge to paint and compose on the canvas made a perfect crossfade with composing music - so now I have become a guitar playing composer instead of a guitar playing painter. One never knows.
By sheer luck three childhood friends (and fellow freaks!) accepted my presence, and we formed the quartet Hot Club de Norv�ge in 1979 - we are still playing together, app. 100 days on the road each year. We are touring all over the world, and have recorded more than 25 CDs. We play regularly with all the maestro players in this field, and also crossover with classical orchestras, string ensembles and -quartets, and great soloists. Because our music is influenced by Django, many people think we are retro. They can not be more mistaken.
I love the guitar, and spend my life exploring its possibilities, which is more than enough for one lifetime, but still limited. But by composing music you are into a landscape of infinite possibilities. I share my days between writing music, studio work and gigs at night - music is the best! More info at www.hotclub.no
