"Jann Klose's multicultural background is evident in his music, which evokes a global pop sound ... that draws comparisons to Sting and Jacques Brel." - Marianne Meyer, Washington Post Read full article
"I just got a copy of Jann Klose and his Reverie project. This is an amazing collection to great music and every track has something special in it. My favorite cut is "Give In To This Life" that could end up becoming a radio anthem." - Jon Hudson, New Musik Weekly
"Ear-grabbing pop singer-songwriter has a confident yet gentle voice, with tints of soul gospel and Afropop rhythms." - Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News
"...a sweet salve for troubled times." - Jon Sobel, Blogcritics.org
"Everything about “Reverie” showcases the current New Yorker’s wide-ranging voice. His lyrics are elementally human, measured and sincere." - Jim Vickers, Cleveland Magazine
"Klose's vocals are at times reminiscent of Paul McCartney's. [Reverie] is a thoroughly listenable album that reflects Jann's experience as a recording artist and theater performer/composer." - Ricky Flake, The Sun Herald
"Jann Klose’s new album, Reverie, is a musical masterpiece with an ensemble of easy-listening sounds that invites the listener to explore their own imagination.." - John Casquarelli, Aced Magazine
"...the carefree, dreamy instrumentation of bassist Chris Marolf, keyboardist Lars Potteiger, percussionist Patrick Carmichael and violinist Leah Potteiger create an earthy, alive musical world." - Matt Mumau, Syracuse New Times
"Klose has the emotions of a sensitive folkie but catapults them with a voice and tone that evoke a libido-driven soul singer." - Fairfield Weekly, Connecticut
"[Black Box EP] is one of the best demos anyone has ever sent me! He totally has the sound, the playing and writing skills - Wow! I am a total fan!" - Ken Dashow, Q104.3, New York City
"This [Black Box EP] is by far the best unsigned record I have heard in a long time!" - Kid Kelly, Director of Pop Programming, Sirius Satellite Radio
Jann Klose's new album, REVERIE, covers as much musical, sonic and emotional ground as Jann has himself. Now living in the Bronx, New York, one of the most culturally diverse communities on earth, he has lived in distinctively unique parts of the planet.
Born in Mannheim, Germany, his family relocated to Nairobi, Kenya, when he was less than a year old. “Eastern Africa was full of impressions. Because of my parents' interest in travel, I experienced African culture first-hand at a very young age. Seeing and hearing African performers and their natural gift for song and dance had a strong impact on me.” A few years later, Jann and his family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, “I remember my father taking us to a musical that I loved, called ‘The Warrior,' starring the late Margaret Singana, who was very popular at that time in South Africa.”
For Jann, coming of age involved learning to understand human struggle in direct relationship to Africa and her people; shortly after Jann returned to Germany, Apartheid crumbled in South Africa. At age 16, Jann was on the move again, this time to Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended high school as an exchange student and immersed himself in Cleveland's burgeoning music scene.
He returned to Germany, to fulfill mandatory civil service, and then relocated to North East Ohio, where he studied voice with Emmy winner David Gooding, sang in the Cleveland Opera Chorus, and released two CDs on local label G21 Records (1997's ENOUGH SAID and 1999's THE STRANGEST THING).
In 2000, Jann moved to New York City, "After living in so many places, I felt like I came home to the world from the moment I arrived." NYC offers a smorgasbord of arts, and Jann responded by going to every singing and acting audition he could attend. Within a few months, he found work in the cast of the Broadway national touring company of JEKYLL & HYDE, and thereafter in the cast of the European tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.
Upon his return to the New York City pavements, he committed himself to his career as a singer/songwriter, recording BLACK BOX, a 2003 EP, which net him favorable reviews and career step-ups in touring. In 2005, Jann performed his music in MOONLIGHT INTERIOR, a movement theatre production directed by Yo-el Cassell, that had a brief, sold-out Off-Broadway run.
Jann and his band continued touring, playing over 250 shows in 10 U.S. States as well as Germany; licensing songs from BLACK BOX to the movie, DEAD BROKE, on Warner Bros Home DVD; compilation discs in overseas markets: PRAMBORS HITS 3 in Indonesia; and on car maker SAAB's 60th anniversary CD in France.
After a 2005 digital release, LIVE AT THE BITTER END, NYC, Jann focused on recording a new full-length album. In addition to using monies collected from performance and licensing fees, he asked fans for a little help, “Using PBS as an example, I gave out autographed CDs and held private concerts for donors.”
Music industry folks also believed in Jann's talent. Rob Grenoble, who runs premiere recording studio Water Music in Hoboken, NJ, “made it work” financially and time-wise in scheduling recording dates between May and August 2007. Producer Stewart Lerman (The Roches, Loudon Wainwright III, Dar Williams, and films THE AVIATOR and THE LIFE AQUATIC) produced and mixed “Hold Me Down,” “Beautiful Dream,” “Give in to This Life,” and mixed “Doing Time” on REVERIE.
Both Lerman and Grenoble had enough faith in Jann's discipline and musical abilities to encourage him to produce much of the album himself. Jann tapped Water Music engineer James Frazee to run the board, mix, and offer critical feedback. Dominick Maita (Fall Out Boy, Bryan Ferry, Plain White T's) mastered the album.
Jann collaborated extensively with Lerman and his band mates Chris Marolf (upright bass), Lars Potteiger (keys, accordion), Patrick Carmichael (drums) and Leah Potteiger (violin) on arrangements. Additional musicians on the album include: Pedro da Silva (Portuguese guitar), Megan Marolf (oboe), Ryan Scott (electric guitar), Dan Brantigan (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Doug Hinrichs (percussion).
Jann continues to grow as an artist. “Last year I wrote a piece for tenor and baritone for my sister's wedding. Art is about appreciating other people's sense of self-expression; this observation inspires me to let my own imagination run free.”
Jann Klose and his band perform on NBC TV Philadelphia's 10! Show
It was my pleasure to play "Hold Me Down" on my bi-weekly, 30-minute podcast featuring mainstream, independent music. The direct link to the show is: http://indiemusicsampler.com/2008/07/25/ims-104/
Greetings, hoping all is well. Look forward to hearing from you when you are back in the US!
Just a little piece I thought you might like:
What My Father Said
Those years of growing up took thirty plus yet still I wasn't done and my father said, finally, when growing pains grew weary in their weight on his daughter's mind he said with earnest look and folded hands across a dinner table empty of other family members due to time, death, differences in time space and attitude, a simple set of words: I'm proud of you, I love you. Lifetime of experience empirically shows, such words do not fit together from one man, unless it is your father, or a true love. I remind myself of, what my father said, often. Quiet words to live by with so many quiet, quiet nights without.
Hello Jann, Thank you so very much for your friendship. It is an honor and privilege to welcome you to my world and I thank you for allowing me into yours. Please know I wish for you every possible success and happiness. Peace & Love, Russ
Thanks for the add If you are looking for a show or have another enquiry please message us or email acousticstage@hotmail.com We're a friendly bunch :)
Hi, great set on Thursday, sorry about the pathetic lack of culture in my local area. Hope it was a bit more lively in Hammersmith. Good luck in your old homeland.
