Jan Akkerman
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Jan Akkerman (born 24 December 1946) 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 notes, and other complex techniques such as sweep picking, tapping, and high-speed alternate picking. 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.
Biography
Akkerman was born in the 'Jordaan' area of Amsterdam, the son of a scrap iron trader. At age five he took guitar lessons and his first single was released when he was fourteen years old. He was a member of Johnny and his Cellar Rockers, The Hunters and Brainbox, and joined the Thijs van Leer Trio in late 1969. They continued under the name Focus and scored a few worldwide hits in the seventies. 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.
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.
In 2011, Akkerman released his latest album, "Minor Details"
Discography
- Talent for Sale - 1968
- Profile - 1972
- Tabernakel - 1973
- Eli (with Kaz Lux) - 1976
- Jan Akkerman - 1977
- Aranjuez (with Claus Ogerman) - 1978
- Live - 1978
- Jan Akkerman 3 - 1979
- The Best of Jan Akkerman and Friends - 1979
- Transparental (with Kaz Lux) - 1980
- Oil In The Family - 1980
- Pleasure Point - 1982
- Can't Stand Noise - 1983
- From the Basement - 1984
- It Could Happen To You - 1985
- The Complete Guitarist - 1986
- The Noise Of Art - 1990
- Guitar Special - 1991
- Puccini's Café - 1993
- Blues Hearts - 1994
- The Guitar Player - 1996
- Focus in Time - 1996
- 10,000 Clowns On A Rainy Day - 1997
- Live at the Priory - 1998
- Passion - 1998
- Live at Alexander's - 1999
- C.U. - 2003
- Vlatko Stefanovski - Thunder From the Blue Sky - 2008
- 1977: Tony Scott Featuring Jan Akkerman - "Meditation" - (Polydor Records)
- Minor Details - 2011
