Born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in Hamilton,
Ontario, he is the son of professional musicians (conductor Dr.
Lee Hepner and pianist Patricia Rolston). His professional career began as a cellist at the age of 15 and transitioned to flute, clarinet, and
saxophone during his studies at
McMaster University (BMus 1978). While pursuing
jazz studies at the
University of Miami he performed with
Henry Mancini,
B. B. King,
Aretha Franklin,
Tony Bennett,
Mel Tormé and many others (MMUS 1980). Moving to
New York City in 1983 he studied composition and saxophone at
New York University with
Lee Konitz and
Bob Mintzer. During his second residency in New York from 1996 to 2005, Hepner toured with
Blood, Sweat and Tears, played in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and in clubs with such artists as
Buster Poindexter and
Tom Wopat. Since 2008 he has recorded and performed with
Tom Wilson (musician) and
LeE HARVeY OsMOND as both a woodwind player and conductor/arranger for his symphony shows which have included performances with the
National Arts Centre Orchestra and the
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. He arranged and produced the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Beatles shows in 2017, 2019 and 2023 and their “The Music of James Bond” concert in February of 2025. In 2015, he collaborated with Canadian musician
Ian Thomas as arranger and conductor to develop a concert for the
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. The music for the concert was used to produce Thomas's “Life In Song” recording. Hepner taught at
Berklee College of Music (Boston) 1985–89, and was founder and head of the Music Program at
Selkirk College in Nelson, BC, 1989–96. From 2005 to 2020, he held the position of professor of music at
Mohawk College, Hamilton. == Discography (selected) ==