»-(¯`v´¯)-» «-(¯`v´¯)-«Jan-Olof Strandberg was born 5 November 1956 in Helsinki and started to play the bass guitar at age of 14, first he studied electric bass guitar in the new pop/jazz school of Helsinki, that later become the Pop/Jazz Conservatory, but when upright bass started to become Jan-Olof`s main instrument he switched to Helsinki Conservatory by recommendation from his teacher Teppo Hauta-Aho. Helsinki Conservatory was based on classical music only.
The first gig Jan-Olof Strandberg ever played was in the summer of 1975 at Kirjurinluoto Park with the Finnish Rock legend Rauli Badding Somerjoki. Soon after in the end of 70`s rock and jazz music started to get J-O`s attention again. Jan-Olof together with his friend Right-Hand Hänninen formed their first band, Funky President in 1977. Other members were singer Timo Turpeinen, Keyboard player Kari Vahtiala and the drummers Kyösti Toivanen and Matti Junttila.
During that period J-O did also play together the first time with the guitar greats; Jukka Tolonen and Ilkka Rantamäki, www.ilkkarantamaki.com with whom he made three albums later during the years.
Steel City was another band that was active during the early –80`s the group included some talented musicians who later became big names in Finland’s music scene.
The line up was Kaija Kokkola & Hannu Heinisaari Vocals, Esko Toivanen, Keyboards, Risto Asikainen, Guitar, Antti Snellman, Drums and Jan-Olof Strandberg, Bass.
The band F&F was formed together with Right-Hand Hänninen in 1983 and the group found a great young vocalist called Bianca Morales. The band name changed to Bianca Morales & F.F after a suggestion of the record company. The band appeared on several TV shows and was quite successful, the group also recorded an album called “Our Party†in 1984 produced by Right-Hand Hänninen.
The group lasted to the end of 1986.
In the late 80`s early 90`s J-O started to work together with the Swedish bass amplifier manufacturer called EBS, that produced top equipment for bass players. The work with EBS www.ebs.bass.se has lasted to this day and J-O has done clinics for the company worldwide, as well as some artist relation work.
In the mid of 90`s Jan-Olof Strandberg started a successful solo carrier besides of his other projects. The first solo album “At The Music Box†was released in 1995 and got worldwide attention. Soon after the follow up album “Great Moments†was recorded and released in 1997. On the album bass great Armand Sabal-Lecco appeared as a special guest. Since then J-O has toured and done concerts and clinics world wide in countries like Finland, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, England, Spain, U.S.A, Japan, Korea, Poland, Italy, Austria, France and Slovakia.
Some of the “great moments†during the years has been concerts with Mel Gaynor, Dominique Di Piazza, Tomuyaki Abe, Paul Jacksons Funk Attack, Bianca Morales, Kaija Koo, Pepe Ahlqvist, Archzie69, Jukka Tolonen and different set ups of Strandberg Band.
Strandberg was featured on the Bassics Magazines cover in June 2000 together with some other bass greats.
The Strandberg Band, present line up;
Jan-Olof Strandberg; Acoustic & Electric Bass Guitar, Upright Bass
Sami Virtanen; Guitar
Dan Antone; Keyboards
Aksu Ahlroos; Drums
There are many challenge projects on works. For more information please check www.janolofstrandberg.com
