Jan Akkerman
| Jan Akkerman | |
|---|---|
Jan Akkerman in Russia, 2005
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born |
24 December 1946 Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Genres | Progressive rock, rock, blues, fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Associated acts | Brainbox, Finch, Focus, The Hunters, Johnny and The Cellar Rockers |
| Website | www |
Jan Akkerman (born 24 December 1946) is a Dutch guitarist. He first found international commercial success with the band Focus, which he co-founded with Thijs van Leer. After leaving Focus, he continued as a solo artist, adding jazz fusion influences. He has also introduced baroque music into his repertoire.
Akkerman was born in Amsterdam, the son of a scrap iron trader. At age five he took guitar lessons and his first single was released in 1960, when he was thirteen years old. He was a member of Johnny and his Cellar Rockers, The Hunters (with whom he scored the 1966 Dutch pop hit "Russian Spy and I") and Brainbox (which also garnered several Dutch hit singles, including a cover of Tim Hardin's "Reason to Believe"). Displaying an incredible technique - it is not a surprise to discover Akkerman won a scholarship to study at the prestigious Amsterdam Music Lyceum for 5 years also developing his composition, arranging and musicianship skills. Akkerman is also a highly skilled Lutenist having been greatly inspired by the English guitarist/lutenist Julian Bream.
Akkerman joined the Thijs van Leer Trio in late 1969 which, as the nascent band Focus was the pit band for the Dutch theatrical production of "Hair" (recorded as an album in 1969). Continuing under the name Focus, the band explored the progressive rock genre (an amalgam of classical, jazz, and rock music in short and extended instrumentals) and scored a few worldwide hits in the seventies (the singles "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia" and the certified Gold albums "Moving Waves" and Focus III). In 1973 Akkerman was chosen 'Best Guitarist in The World' by the readers of the UK magazine, Melody Maker. His standing was such that he teamed up with manufacturer Framus to produce one of the first 'signature' guitar models.
...
Wikipedia