| Name | Jan Akkerman |
|---|---|
| Landscape | |
| Background | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth name | |
| Alias | |
| Born | December 24, 1946 |
| Died | |
| Origin | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Instrument | Guitar, lute |
| Religion | Christian |
| Genre | Rock, blues, jazz |
| Occupation | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Label | |
| Associated acts | Johnny and The Cellar Rockers, The Hunters, Brainbox, Focus |
| Url | www.janakkerman.nl |
| Current members | |
| Past members | Thijs van Leer |
| Notable instruments | Gibson les paul custom, Gibson SG, Catalyst Jakkerman |
Jan Akkerman (born 24 December 1946, Amsterdam, Netherlands) is a Dutch guitarist. Akkerman is a distinctive guitarist, constantly experimenting with new equipment and guitars. Akkerman's distinctive guitar sound is characterised by his pioneering use of volume swells which produce a smooth, fluty, sustained note, although he is also capable of astonishing high-speed pyrotechnics. He also pioneered the use of the lute in a rock band, reflecting his interest in medieval and Renaissance music and culture. He first reached world acclaim in the 1970s when he was seen as the core of the Dutch rock band, Focus, together with Thijs van Leer.
In 1976 Akkerman left Focus and continued his solo career, and collaborations with other musicians. In 1973 Akkerman contributed to the album of his former Brainbox companion Kaz Lux ('I'm the worst partner I know'), who in turn contributed to the Eli (1976) and Transparental (1980) albums.
A reunion with Thijs van Leer in 1985 turned out to be unsuccessful. He continued to produce several albums. At the same time he was active as a session musician with André Hazes and others. He also played alongside Vlatko Stefanovski, Alan Price, Herman Brood, Peter Banks, Charlie Byrd, Ice-T, Paco De Lucia, and B.B. King.
In 1992 he was involved in a serious car accident, but resumed playing in 1993. In the late 1990s, after an absence of nearly 20 years, he was persuaded to tour the UK again and has continued to do so on a regular basis. He writes for the Dutch magazine, GitaarPlus.
* David Randall: in & out of focus - the music of Jan Akkerman & focus. SAF Publishing, London, 2002. ISBN 0-946719-44-6
Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:Dutch rock guitarists Category:Jazz fusion guitarists Category:Lead guitarists Category:People from Amsterdam Category:Harvest Records artists
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