Jens Ola Johansson [1] ( Swede. Jens Ola Johansson ; November 2, 1963 ) is a Swedish keyboardist and pianist in the power metal genre. He is noted as one of the first and most influential "shred" -klavishnikov for his high-speed neoclassical and jazz style of performance.
| Jens Johansson Jens johansson | |
|---|---|
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| basic information | |
| Date of Birth | |
| Place of Birth | |
| A country |  Sweden |
| Professions | Keyboard player |
| Instruments | |
| Genres | Neoclassical metal Power metal Speed metal |
| Collectives | Stratovarius , Rainbow , Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force |
| Labels | |
| panix.com/~jens/ | |
Biography
Jens Johansson is the son of the famous Swedish jazz pianist and arranger Jan Johansson (1931-1968) and brother of the drummer Anders Johansson (born 1962). From a very early age he was interested in music and electronics. I have not received classical music education. He was largely influenced by the game of rock keyboardists such as Don Airy , Eddie Jobson and John Lord .
In 1982, classically trained Johansson left Slem jazz fusion band and joined the Swedish metal band Silver Mountain, where Anders also played. In 1983, he left Sweden and settled in California, becoming a member of the Yngwie Malmsteen Rising Force .
In 1995, he became a member of the Finnish power metal group Stratovarius , in which he remains to this day. In its composition took part in the creation of several albums. He also releases his solo albums, and acts as a session musician in other projects.
In mid-2015, Richie Blackmore decided to revive Rainbow . Johansson was involved as a keyboard player, about whom Blackmore said: “Jens is a well-known and respected keyboard player. It is very easy to work with him, because he is quite experienced ” [2] .
Tools
In his career, Jens used many types of synthesizers. His favorites include Korg Polysix , Yamaha DX7 (starting with the Rising Force to this day), the Oberheim Matrix series, and the Roland JV-1080 . Johansson also loves the Hammond Organ . Johansson is a computer fan and has been using Steinberg software (such as Cubase ) for a long time. An example of his passion for computers is his Fission record, overflowing with special effects and experiments with sound.
Discography
As part of Stratovarius
- Episode (1996)
- Visions (1997)
- Visions of Europe (1998)
- Destiny (1998)
- Infinite (2000)
- Intermission (2001)
- Elements, Pt. 1 (2003)
- Elements, Pt. 2 (2003)
- Stratovarius (2005)
- Polaris (2009)
- Elysium (2011)
- Nemesis (2013)
- Eternal (2015)
With Yngwie Malmsteen
- Rising Force (1984)
- Marching Out (1985)
- Trilogy (1986)
- Odyssey (1988)
- Trial by Fire (1989)
- Inspiration (1996)
With Anders Johansson
- Anders Johansson: Shu-Tka (1992)
- The Johansson Brothers (1994)
- Anders Johansson, Jens Johansson and Allan Holdsworth: Heavy Machinery (1996)
- Anders Johansson: Red Shift (1997)
- Johansson: Sonic Winter (1997)
- Johansson: The Last Viking (1999)
As part of Rainbow
- Waiting For a Sign (2018, single)
- Memories in Rock II (2018, live & studio)
With other artists
- Silver Mountain: Shakin 'Brains (1983)
- Erik Borelius: Fantasy (1988)
- Dio : Lock Up The Wolves (1990)
- Deadline : Dissident (1991)
- Stephen Ross: Midnight Drive (1991)
- Ginger Baker : Unseen Rain (1992)
- RAF: Ode To A Tractor (1992)
- Shining Path: No Other World (1992)
- Jonas Hellborg Group: E (1993)
- Snake Charmer: Smoke And Mirrors (1993)
- Dave Nerge's Bulldog: The Return Of Mr. Nasty (1994)
- Robert Blennerhed: Seven (1994)
- Smoke On The Water - A Tribute (1994)
- Tony MacAlpine : Premonition (1994)
- Itä-Saksa: Let's Kompromise (1998)
- Snake Charmer: Backyard Boogaloo (1998)
- Benny Jansson: Flume Ride (1999)
- Blackmore's Night : Under a Violet Moon (1999)
- Mastermind [USA]: Excelsior! (1999)
- Roland Grapow : Kaleidoscope (1999)
- Mastermind [USA]: Angels Of The Apocalypse (2000)
- Einstein: Einstein Too (2001)
- La Leyenda Continua: Tributo A Rata Blanca (2001)
- Silver Mountain: Breakin 'Chains (2001)
- Andy West With Rama: Rama 1 (2002)
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen : Star One: Space Metal (2002)
- Benny Jansson: Save The World (2002)
- Aina : Days Of Rising Doom (2003)
- Barilari (2003)
- Sonata Arctica : Winterheart's Guild (2003)
- Mastermind (Japanese): To The World Beyond (2004)
- Spastic Ink : Ink Compatible (2004)
- Kamelot : The Black Halo (2005)
- Avantasia : Angel of Babylon (2010)
- Cain's Offering : Stormcrow (2015)
Notes
- ↑ The spelling of the surname Johansson follows from the spelling of the surname of his father, Jan Johansson , in the article Swedish Music ( Swedish Institute , 2005).
- ↑ Ritchie Blackmore about deciding to revive RAINBOW with new musicians