Jan Johannson
By Monty Smith
I
recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Jan Johannson,
former vice-president of Banjo in the Hollow, and a local,
regional and national "legend" in
bluegrass music. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure
of meeting him, Jan is a man, gentle in spirit, yet so full of
musical knowledge, as well as being a gifted music teacher.
Residing in Cary, N.C., Jan is a teacher to
many and a true friend to so many more. He is a gifted musician, excelling
in acoustic guitar, fiddle and mandolin.
Jan has been a student of bluegrass music since
the 1970's, when he was a teenager in Sweden. As his love for bluegrass music
continued to grow, the pursuit of music led him to leave his native Sweden
and head for North Carolina, in the 1980's. While living here in North Carolina,
he has been exposed to the best in bluegrass music and "has been blessed
with friends in the bluegrass community from all over the country."
According to Jan, there remains a soft spot
in his heart for the old "numbers" that he grew up with in Sweden.
So, he has put together a collection of 12 of his favorite songs and is coming
out with a new CD which should be out in the near future. The name of the CD
is "Kindred" and from all indications should prove to be a worthy
effort.
Jan tells me that since he has been playing
bluegrass music throughout his career, it was only natural to approach the
music on his new CD with instruments typically associated with this(bluegrass)
type of music. He goes on to say that he has for a long time believed that
European folk-based music styles would naturally fit the bluegrass format.
In the spirit of exploration he recorded these tunes to see how the Swedish
music would manifest itself with bluegrass instrumentation.
This writer has had the pleasure of listening
to the 12 songs that Jan has recorded and I can tell our readers that Jan has
accomplished precisely what he set out to do. The recorded tunes reflect a
softer, more serene style of music than you may be used to hearing in the traditional
bluegrass venue. The tunes are a welcome mixture of uptempo and slower tunes
together.
Talk about great music...I've listened to these
tunes time and time again and can tell you that they "soothe the mind"......a
true "listening experience". One will hear the superb musical talents
of Mr. Johannson on acoustic guitar, backed up by a dynamic group of musicians
whose musical skills are clearly evident from track 1 to track 12. Every "cut" on
the new CD is an experience in itself.
Jan is owner of Johannson's Acoustic Music Studio
in Cary, N.C., 919-380-9970.He offers lessons on guitar, fiddle and mandolin,
with levels ranging from "beginners" up to the "advanced."
Jan would like to thank Chris Droessler, exceptional
Recording Engineer who did all the "mastering" of the music that
was recorded at Barnabas Studios, Raleigh, N.C.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Kindred" when
it comes out in the near future.......
Monty
Smith
CD's available at these locations:
