Klose was raised in Kenya, South Africa, Germany, and the United States and now resides in New York City.
His music has been streamed over 1,000,000 times online and his song ‘Make It Better’ is featured on the Billboard Top 10 charting compilation album ‘Action Moves People United’.
His songs have been heard on the Grammy nominated 'Healthy Food For Thought' compilation as well as MTV Cribs and movies Dead Broke (Warner Bros) featuring Paul Sorvino and A Venue For The End Of The World (BrinkVision) featuring Dick Cavett and Ian Anderson.
Most recently, Klose scored the music for the award-winning short The Beauty of Disaster.
Last week Klose arrived in South Africa to begin recording his new album at Academy of Sound Engineering in Johannesburg with a number of top South African artists.
What makes this project even more exciting is that Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s charity, TutuDesk, is his chosen charity for this PledgeMusic campaign.
I caught up with Klose last week whilst in pre-production for the album.
It’s my foremost mission in life. I grew up not being allowed to learn an instrument. Very conservatively raised by my German grandparents, long story. So, I made my own way and never looked back.
Well, painfully funny. I broke a string and poked my finger and started bleeding all over the fretboard of my guitar. I didn’t notice until some screamed out from the audience: “Are you okay?”
Prince probably, and Joni Mitchell, and John Oates (who I’ve actually performed with. He’s a survivor of the highest order and a great and informed musician and lovely human being. Pete Seeger also someone I performed with. All these artists never stop working.
Oh, a good glass of South African red, preferably a Syrah! When it’s a bigger celebration it’ll be a classic vodka martini with olives or a makers mark Manhattan.
“Song To The Sire” by Tim Buckley/Larry Beckett but it’s okay, I love singing and performing it and it feels like my own.
Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. I was a high school exchange student in Cleveland.
Yanni (or Janni) but I hate it.
Swim!
Workaholic, dreamer, lover of life.
Joni Mitchell “Court and Spark”
Prince and the Revolution “Parade”
The Beatles “Revolver”
Led Zeppelin “Houses of the Holy”
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Oh, that’s easy. Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon. Directed by Billy Wilder and music by Adolph Deutsch!
Italian leather boots.
Well, since I’m in New York I’ll say “oy vey!” which basically means that the proverbial S#@! has hit the fan.
Internet speeds (or tempo in general).
Wasting time.
Sweat!
Recording my next solo album in South Africa with producer RJ Benjamin and many very special guests! Excited
Check out all the exclusives and pre-order the new album at www.pledgemusic.com/jannklose
Images by Sandee Milhouse
