Jan Akkerman

Biography

Dutch guitarist from Amsterdam and co-founder of progressive rock band *Focus*, with whom he recorded 'Moving Waves' and 'Focus 3' and the hits 'Hocus Pocus' and 'Sylvia'. Voted the world's best guitarist by #Melody Maker# readers in 1973, he is noted for smooth volume-swell phrasing, high-speed technique and pioneering lute playing in a rock setting. Since leaving *Focus* in 1976 he has maintained a solo career spanning jazz rock and fusion alongside extensive session work.