Darcy Hepner

Hepner, Darcy

Darcy (Rolston) Hepner. Saxophonist, composer, teacher, b Edmonton 22 Dec 1954; B MUS (McMaster) 1978, M MUS (Miami) 1981. Darcy Hepner was raised in Hamilton, the son of professional musicians (conductor Lee Hepner and pianist Patricia Rolston). He played cello, guitar and flute as a youth and began saxophone study in university, then studied privately with Pat LaBarbera. After further studies in composition and saxophone at New York University with Lee Konitz and Bob Mintzner beginning in 1983, Hepner made concert and club appearances in Canada and the US. He performed with such jazz musicians as Mel Tormé, and toured summers with the Artie Shaw band 1987-8 and with David Clayton-Thomas' Blood, Sweat and Tears 1999-2004. Living in New York 1996-2005, Hepner played in clubs and for Broadway shows.

In Ancaster, Ont, 19 Aug 2006, Hepner gave the Canadian premiere of a re-creation of Charlie Parker's Bird with Strings.

Darcy Hepner's debut self-titled CD as leader was released in 1998 (Water Street Music WSM 5442-2). He can also be heard on recordings of the Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, as well as recordings with his brother Jeremy Hepner, a guitarist. His own compositions are in blues and jazz styles.

Darcy Hepner taught at Berklee College (Boston) 1985-9, and was head of the Professional Music Program at Selkirk College in Nelson, BC, 1989-96. Beginning in 2005, he taught at Mohawk College, Hamilton.

Darcy Hepner is also related to Thomas Rolston, Isobel Moore, and Shauna Rolston.