Hi! I’m Jon Hodkin, an English tuba player and cyclist. I began playing brass instruments at 10yrs old. A quick learner, I was soon performing enthusiastically with my school band. In 1977, aged 16, I “joined up” and began my musical career as a euphonium player in The British Army.
On completion of my training at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, London, I served for 3 years in The Royal Artillery Mounted Band. I thought it to be a curious name for the outfit; but by great good fortune, no horses were ever involved!
Upon leaving the army, in 1982, I chose to ‘pitch lower’, and switched to the tuba – an instrument which, in my opinion, is very versatile. I always listen to music from the bottom pitches upward, too, so I feel very comfortable down there in the depths.
I began riding bicycles when I was eighteen, and have been a keen non-competitive, utility, and touring cyclist ever since. However, throughout the 1980’s, there was always a problem; if I went away cycling, I missed my tuba, and if I went away tuba playing, I missed my bicycle. So it was only a matter of time before the two were combined, and my first Tuba Trailer was constructed in 1988.
For years I combined semi-professional music making – performing with all kinds of amateur and professional ensembles, orchestras, bands, and brass quintets – with my career as an occupational therapist.
InnerTuba came into being in 2000, thanks to funding from the
Arts Council England’s “Year of the Artist” national project.
Over the years I have pedalled and performed the length and breadth of the UK, mostly in schools. Engineering solutions to the challenges of ‘heavy load lugging’ have been sought, and found. A recumbent trike is without doubt the human powered vehicle of choice, towing a custom designed and built trailer. Trial, and trial again, has been the story!
Nobody’s life is completely plain-sailing and problem free, is it? I encountered a sudden, tragic, jolt back in 2012. Since then, (and beyond the hard work needed to get life back back on track again), I have chosen to concentrate more or less exclusively on developing, touring, and performing with my unique musical event and presentation, “InnerTuba”. The variety of shows I can now offer, and the repertoire I perform, continue to grow.
InnerTuba’s first overseas tour was in 2019. On that tour I successfully completed RAGBRAI, or The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, USA. The almost 475 miles was completed in the allocated 7 days. This was a self imposed challenge which, if I’m honest, half killed me – but I made it, just!
Following the enforced covid pandemic halt to things, I am proud to have completed my first very long distance tour, along the Mississippi River. I’m even more proud of having raised money for worthy causes along the way. I’m enthused to get back on the charity fund raising road again, just as soon as possible, this time heading from the Midwest to the Northwest USA.
My ultimate aim is to pedal and perform West to East, coast to coast across Canada. I work enthusiastically to that end. When I’ve done that, who knows?
I might quit travelling with a tuba, tricycle and trailer, and sit somewhere warm to write a book about it all –
-but then again, I might just keep rolling! …..