Jan Akkerman - live! amazing!

jan akkerman is an dutch guitar legend. 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").[citation needed] Displaying an incredible technique, 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.[1][2][3][4]
In early 1976 Akkerman left Focus and continued his solo career, and collaborations with other musicians. The concept album "Eli", recorded with Kaz Lux on vocals, won the Dutch Edison Award for best album in 1976.
A brief Focus reunion with Thijs van Leer in 1985 came in the form of several concerts supported by an album which turned out to be unsuccessful. The classic Focus lineup also reunited in 1990 for the Dutch television program "Goud van Oud" (Old Gold) for one last time. Akkerman 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 Alan Price, Herman Brood, Peter Banks, Phil Collins, Jack Bruce, Charlie Byrd, Ice-T, Paco De Lucia, and B.B. King.
In 1991 Akkerman was also a part of the Night Of The Guitars II European tour organised by Sting and The Police manager Miles Copeland. The tour featured Ronnie Montrose, Saga's Ian Crichton, Robin Trower from Procol Harum, Dave Sharman and Laurie Wisefield.[citation needed]
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 2013, Akkerman released his latest album, "North Sea Jazz".

[@Elfina1959]

Page, Holdsworth, Beck n like company never let their eyes off this guy.

[@dougpeters1625]

Truth!

[@josebegui]

Jan is one of those rare guitarists with a distinctive style all his own. Aewsome that he's still playing. He's on my list of the all-time greats.

[@DonkeyOtee22]

I totally agree -when you compare him to somebody like Jimmy Page -(admittedly page wrote some amazing riffs and is probably one of the greatest riff masters of all time ) there is simply no comparison, and in terms of ability,Akkerman is light years ahead of a sloppy guitarist like Page.

[@George.Andrews.]

I think he is my all time great.

[@joopluttmer9096]

@@DonkeyOtee22 jlxzlslJjlk){=jnkjjllnjjMlkjlpjhh missed lh kjkjkkll jij Hzzjj\khzkzllzjzkslzhjdlfg

[@fabriciusphellix8258]

É um dos meus favoritos no momento tenho ouvido mais músicas instrumentais existe excelentes discos desse guitarrista Jan Akerman ...🎸🎼

[@fabriciusphellix8258]

É um dos meus favoritos no momento tenho ouvido mais músicas instrumentais existe excelentes discos desse guitarrista Jan Akerman ...🎸🎼

[@ianmorrison9394]

Good grief,was terrified with the man’s technique back in the 70’S with Focus,but even scarier now.the group were basically what you would with except,so skilled plus melodic and all things wonderfulTwas a joy to listen in,and venerate.Ian Morrison

[@sunlion8866]

Simply put, one of the best guitarists on the planet... with one of the most amazing guitar tones you'll ever hear.

[@sjoerdmeijer1]

Well,lissen to Joscho Stefano,that Guy is allso realy good

[@George.Andrews.]

He is the best . The years of tones , melody, chops , If I could only listen to one guitarist for the rest of my life , no contest. Thanks Jan.

[@UR_Right24]

It's funny how many great guitarists I still discover to this day even though I am 48 and been playing since I was 11 and I thought I knew about every great guitar player out there. Of course I was aware of the band Focus all these decades but I certainly never dove deep into their catalog to ever know this guy was this good. I mostly saw them as a one hit wonder band with their Hocus Pocus song. But, it just makes me wonder how many more great players are out there I'm not familiar with that a good amount of the guitar playing world is aware of, I'm sure there are many, but that's what makes it so interesting, still discovering something or someone new after all this time, even though they or it might actually be old. This guy is more fusion rock jazz than I'm into so maybe that is why I'm not familiar with his playing, but I really like him. I wouldn't go as far as to say he is near the best or anything like that but he's clearly a beast in the instrument.

[@michelhille8107]

One of the greatest 🎸🎸🎸 player.

[@davidjenkins3854]

No other guitarist alive today....like Jan..... definitely the best guitarist alive today!!!!

[@robertbeer4349]

I agree

[@George.Andrews.]

I agree

[@matshanssen2070]

Scott Henderson!☝️

[@tedcabana]

One of the most brilliant guitarist/musician/composers, of our time. I hope someday people will recognize his phenomenal talents. Jan is the guitarists guitarist. Amazing as he is!. Remember “Hocus Pocus!”

[@sonnyjames5002]

You hope someday people will recognize his phenomenal talents? Lol. Jan has had a devoted following since the 1960s... Because of his incredible talents as a guitarist/multi-instrumentalist!

[@tedcabana]

@@sonnyjames5002 Yes. I surely hope that future guitarists will acknowledge his amazing talent, and his contributions toward modern virtuoso guitar academics.

[@paullevine1813]

That's part of his problem , everyone remembers Hocus Pocus but not the best material Focus did which was everything else.. Saw them in 1973 on the only USA tour they did . Mind blowing performance & they played close to 3 hours . That show was at Merriweather Post Pavilion in MD. Then tickets for the pavilion were 6 buck & the lawn seats 3 bucks , We won't ever see those prices again. It was a great show !! At least he's appreciated in Europe & anyone here that knew how good that band really was.

[@richardbartley8512]

One year I flew from Manchester to Bonn and then after a hiring a car I drove to an old monastery in a village called Dernau where I saw him and his band in concert. Given the atmosphere of the venue it was a great experience. I also saw him again in Chester a few years later. You need to hear this music live at full volume to really appreciate it.

[@Gitareur]

Jan is Jan en ik ben blij dat ik zoveel van hem heb mogen beluisteren. Op radio, cd en live. Genieten van.

[@hoofhearted3035]

This smooth jazz sound fits so well with his style now. Loved Focus in the early 70's. Jan Ackerman was and is one of the best.

[@kelvinheron3425]

Jan is superb...a unique master, and that is one hell of a band!

[@socksumi]

Jan Akkerman is both technically accomplished AND melodic.

[@RareBird476]

Genius and still one of the greatest ever! A privilege to hear!

[@George.Andrews.]

Jan has it all and for a long time . I was twelve in 1972 when I saw FOCUS live . Such beautiful melodies and tones that have been with me ever since. Thanks so much Jan .

[@ivanjankovic3740]

Saw them at the Hordern Pavillion in '75...I was 18,still remember stumbling to Central railway station feeling dizzy after the concert

[@vicvaldebenito]

I listen Focus and Jan's guitar since 1977, when i was 15 years old. Unfortunatelly Jan never came to Chile with Focus. Magic fingers.

[@George.Andrews.]

@@vicvaldebenito sorry to hear he never visited but at least we have the Internet

[@gregoryolsen4509]

Thanx for the great info and posting of this video! I was blown away by Focus as a 14-year-old guitar player in 1971 with Moving Waves. Still one of my all-time favourites, I'm just revisiting Hocus Pocus for a solo performance with a looper. Jan has a very unique improvision style with a lot of chromaticism that threw me for ages. Also, his classical training has endured him with a ear able to hear more esoteric lines outside of my experience. One thing that I've recently discovered, while watching the KZbin vids of him playing, is his attention to tone, like Jeff Beck. What an amazing player. :-)

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

Long, smooth solo from Jan, a journey through melody, rythm and dynamics.

[@adrianclinch9553]

Love this man's playing for the last thirty five years still gives me goose bumps rock on.

[@ConstantFiesta]

When life gets strange you can always just throw this on

[@paulbuxton1326]

He blows the so called top ten away 🎼

[@robster7316]

Absolutely wonderful performance! Jan is so smooth and in total control of his craft. What a great band, too!

[@rickheron3716]

Just love his playing, superb, in my all time top ten great guitar players, he has maintained that ability since the early days with Focus

[@pieter-basbeijer5781]

Insane solo. Best guitar player of all time if you ask me.

[@herbertdarick7693]

@Grey Dove heerlijke losse tonen, Mit Akkerman geht's richtig los!

[@herbertdarick7693]

@Grey Dove heerlijke losse tonen. Mit Akkerman geht's richtig los!

[@danielabatabogdanov8586]

@Derek Gill actually he used to make less mistakes in the 70s and 80s. I think overall most his notes are played very well. Probably its a age issue. Also he started playing the same licks a lot ! During the 70s he did a lot of different scales in his solo.

[@noestaniwel4543]

I agree!

[@jkj10]

That's probably what he's thinking too

[@WimHoogerbrugge]

Jan, is één van de beste gitaristen ter wereld. Ik heb zelf met nog twee andere ex collega's die bij Saris Musical Instruments kortweg SMI genaamd hadden gewerkt de Tour UK, Schotland en Ierland met FOCUS meegemaakt als Roady en Geluidtechnicus. Ik heb veel geleerd doe tour van Jan. Gr. Wim Hoogerbrugge

[@tonyqunta32]

What an amazing musician Jan is the 'complete guitarist'! I love how Jan comes out with new phrases whilst still using his signature phrases! The great musicians are always instantly recognisable - whetherl it is Rock (Jeff Beck, Hendrix etc.), Classical (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Sibelius etc.), Jazz (Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock, Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery etc.), Blues (BB King, Albert Collins, etc), Fusion (Allan Holdsworth, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, etc). They all have signature 'licks' whilst somehow constantly coming up with new ideas!

[@sejrec56]

An example of how great of a guitarist Jan is , is here’s a guitar who can tear up the finger board w speed and solos, but he’s content playing extreme melodic solos! Sing of a true musical pro, he’s also a melodic genius.

[@Lichfeldian--Suttonian]

I’ve seen him play in Southampton. Just amazing!

[@kareldrenth3278]

Jan is een tovenaar op de gitaar heb hem heel lang geleden in Amsterdam op het Buikslotermeerplein zien spelen prachtig echt. De beste van de wereld volgens mij

[@phneutraal7995]

Sommigen noemen Jeff Beck, anderen zeggen Hendrix of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Jan Akkerman is in mijn ogen en oren één van de beste gitaristen en hij hoort zeker in het rijtje van toppers te staan.

[@iandavis891]

Jan was, is and will always be THE MAN!!!

[@HarryGuit]

Anyone remember when in 1974-ish suddenly Jan was rated the number one rock guitarist beating guys like Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, Tony Iommy, Eric Clapton etc? Well deserved!

[@knightfall9394]

and he didnt possess the songwriting talent that those guys did, jan is a great player but not someone who is known for his compositional prowess

[@mennobults6464]

As a metal fan my master is Jimmy Page, but the most versitile player is Jan, GOAT, Akkerman in my humble opinion. BB King is a fan and so am I.

[@iancrombie8862]

Best guitarist ont planet in 1973!!!!

[@virgilius68]

Love it

[@shaunkelly9860]

What a beautiful guitar.

[@sommelierramon]

From A to Z all that top, best and very best guitar players in the world are fan of and or know Jan Akkerman, most know him , yeah, really true...... Do you all have a clue now ? I could not make it more einfach, simple. right?

[@meself349]

Maybe you could draw me a picture. I'm a little slow.

[@bradpearse5171]

Absolutely stunning, a real class act👍🤓

[@rientsdijkstra4266]

Maybe the raw speed is a bit less than it used to be, but all the more you can hear Jan Akkermans unique feeling for phrasing and melody

[@scottyahney8565]

Jan Akkerman is top 25 greatest !!!!

[@3shockarmy74]

Brilliant Jan !

[@marcoantoniosanchezesparza3168]

Parece.como si sus notas fueran como una armonia de gotas de agua salpicando para bien...ultra...

[@gus3247365]

Brilliant !

[@sonnydays9067]

Smooth and tight…….

[@herbertdarick7693]

On-o-ver-trof-fen!

[@noestaniwel4543]

Heerlijk...

[@jeanmariezeyen111]

this man seems to have INVENTED musicality ... !

[@wallisliss]

Jan........nuff said.

[@ruloh01]

Jan Akkerman, Jan Cremer, Jan Wolkers, Armando, Cherry Duyns, mijn helden. Stuk voor stuk rotsen in de branding. Volstrekt perfecte ego’s die hun leven zelf bepalen. Zij passen zich niet aan, wij passen ons aan hen aan.

[@svdlaan]

Je bent vrees ik Rutger Hauer vergeten

[@indigofruit59]

Interesting, angular soloing style.

[@thepietvanderploeg]

Prachtige sound, Jan ! ga hier zo lang mogelijk mee door, de huidige wereld geeft alleen maar ''rot geluiden'' Wellicht kun je ook een keertje iets opzetten met Andreas Vollenweider, lijkt me bij voorbaat fantastisch !! Ik geniet al vele jaren van je !

[@peteralafi5988]

Tight, tight, tight!!!

[@smiler693]

love this guys playin genius

[@corocoro4]

Brilliant... Using really light strings..

[@funkyfloris7925]

Thanks everyone for the great comments!❤

[@Dobimation]

Just brilliant, second coolest man on the planet!Who is first you ask?Donald Fagan

[@robertbeer4349]

Jan Akkerman! The second best guitarist I ever heard, The Best? Narciso Yepes.

[@jkj10]

Akkerman cool??...From what I've heard he can be a pretty unsympathetic guy.

[@arvidlystnur4827]

So to keep this in context, when was this concert? He's definitely in my top ten, perhaps five greatest electric guitarists. Notice how expanded his modes are? NOTICE HE PLAYS WITH ALL FOUR FINGERS!

[@gernotboesser6901]

His playing is so subtle, the fingers of his left hand barely move.

[@kenm.3512]

I've always liked Jan Akkerman's playing. Those first 6 or so Focus albums are golden. Folks, you have trocheck out Focus on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert from around 1975. Itinclides an abridged Hamburger Concerto that is an absolute killer. What a live band they were. When I was a kid, that Kirshner episode that featured Focus, literally had me in tears, it was so good. It's good to know Jan is still around and playing well. Cheers.

[@kurtengladysdelannoit3159]

prachtig

[@peterperry268]

Grag Gedaan Jan.....He custom made his own guitars, that is where the unique tone and the lightness on the strings comes from, a true artist and technician....rare apart from Eric.

[@speeluh]

Beste nederlandse gitarist ooit.

[@sommelierramon]

Simple thing : All very well known "best " guitarists of the world are fans of Jan Akkerman. Let that be clear ! Did you know ?

[@thepietvanderploeg]

Jan Wolkers zou zeggen : BOOI BOOI !

[@user-zb2hi8ct9q]

Cool！ Sounds like kazumi Watanabe.

[@ericcalzolari]

Underrated guitarist like Rory Gallagher

[@jkj10]

Like Rory he was never underrated, just maybe not noticed by a big part of the world. But a real musician wouldn't mind about that.

[@deepzepp4176]

Rory’s overrated imo.

[@wah3094]

Anyone knows the line up? Love the sound of the bass!

[@josebegui]

I noticed that too - incredible bass groove

[@hulldanfan]

@@josebegui Only the keyboard player coen molenaar still plays with jan. The bass player is WILBRAND MEISCHKE

[@vdv-tu7dg]

I think the drummer is Marijn van den Berg. They actually still play with this lineup (apart from the bass) sometimes. I highly recommend going to one of his shows.

[@wah3094]

@@hulldanfan thanks for the info

[@allancerf9038]

Thank God he plays a Gibson. Usually you should grown when you hear "true original." It's like an incoming round from artillery. Some bullshit. But Akkerman is a true original in the only 'good' sense I know.

[@pitcocktail]

Was dit in 2007?

[@petewoodroffemusic]

Name of track please?

[@stanuitm.7749]

en dan zit hij in z'n studio en componeert een van zijn stoerste nummers....kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5vPnqSja9ieaJY

[@matshanssen2070]

Couple of slipups....

[@danielabatabogdanov8586]

I think he is great in his classic Bach work and his 70s stuff. But in these modern numbers he is using the same licks over and again in each song.

[@seanquail8441]

His #classical work was not disciplined enough and was lacking technique

[@danielabatabogdanov8586]

@@seanquail8441 Maybe you are right.. i guess thats easier to hear for somebody more into that type of music. His solos in the fusion rock genre in the 70s though seamed way les boring then what he has been doing the last 25 years. He used more scales. To me he is very good in playing a melody and make it sound amazing instead of improvising.

[@patrickbresseleers5571]

Als je goed luistert naar vele nummers komen dikwijls dezelfde rifjes terug. Soms is hij super, maar zeker niet altijd ...

[@alwinvanderlinde5913]

Hou je negativiteit en je kritiek maar voor jezelf. Meesterlijk gitarist.

[@jacob.7054]

Terrible guitarsound😩

[@funkyfloris7925]

What do you find terrible? Im curious what your opinion is