JT "On the move"
Name: Jan T. Johannessen (JT)
Country: Norway
Birth: 16th December 1960
Current band: Magic Pie (www.magicpie.net)
Daytime work: Senior Consultant at the internet company www.vianett.com
My musical Websites: www.magicpie.net, www.beyondappearance.net, http://www.myspace.com/jtmagicpie,
Sweden Rock Festival 2007
I started playing drums some 38 years ago at the age of 9 listening to The Beatles "Revolution", and I have played continuously since. During the first years I couldn't afford a drumset so I played at anyting suitable including cardboard boxes stacked as a set. I bought my first set (Second hand Tama Swing star) at the age of 14. During the years I've played with all kind of bands like Janissary, bigband, jazz, blues, pop, latin, country, gospel, funk, rock and now progrock. Inspired by the great Santana I also played congas and percussion for a while. Educationally I have some private studies within classical music theory, music reading and snare drum techniques.
Motstøy-festival 2006 (Norway)
During the first 15 years I played traditional grip as a result of the classical trainig and my jazz influence. I changed to matched grip when my music style turned towards funk, rock and progrock. My playing style is inspired by a wide variety of drummers within all kinds of music styles, but Buddy Rich, Ian Paice, Ginger Baker and Terry Bozzio would be my greatest influences, added by Mike Portnoy when I really got into progrock and double pedal work. Nevertheless Ian Paice and his snare drum work is probably the the most important and inspiring thing for me growing up in the 70's. The drum-ending of our song "Without knowing why" is a special tribute to Ian Paice from me by the way.. Hopefully I have developed a kind of my own playing style which also includes some small rudiments from all these great drummers.
Rehearsal in studio
My main focus is our progrock band Magic Pie which launched the progrock album "Motions of Desire" in 2005 and the album "Circus of Life" in 2007. My drumwork is constantly focused on getting to a higher level to meet the requirements for the demanding progrock music we are playing. I'not a youngster anymore, but I'm a serious drum addict, and as I see it; "Music has no age limit":-)
Slottsskogen Goes Progressive 2005 (Gothenburg, Sweden)
To be able to rehearse more at home, which nowadays is more or less every afternoon, I first put together my own kind of “quiet” drumset which I muffled as far as possible. Simple, but it did the job…
Then I invested in a Roland digital drumset. I strongly recommend all drummers in my situation (...daytime work and musician besides) to take advantage of what the digital drumworld has to offer. The sound is excellent and you can rehearse at home in the evening while the children is asleep, and your wife get to see you a lot more. (in theory… ;-)
For me it's also very important to play the acoustic drums as often as possible as this is my main gear at performances. (Usually at least three times a week both with and without the band). The acoustic drums requires more fysical work by both hands and feet so this is of most importance.
Besides the drumwork I also compose music (Both lyrics and music). When composing I'm using a Roland keyboard along with Sonar Studio PC-program and the Rolad digital set. For Magic Pie I usually make a CD with a draft of the song for the band's further arrangements and rehearsalwork. (Dream Vision at the CD "Motions of Desire" is my most recent published composition)
My goal with the drumming is to continuously become a better drummer, both tecnically but also musically to support Magic Pie the best possible way.
Best regards
JT, Drummer
Magic Pie
e-mail: JT@magicpie.net
List of equipment:
Acoustic Drums
Pearl Export Select (Mahogni Shells), Blue Mist
A. 6,5"x14" Pearl Ian Paice Signature snare
B. 10"x8" Tom
C. 12"x9" Tom
D. 14"x14" Floor Tom
E. 16"x16" Floor Tom
F. 16"x22" Bass Drum
Cymbals:
1. 14" Zildijan ZBT Hi-Hats (loose)
2. 16" Sabian AAX Stage Crash
3. 16" Wuhan China
4. 22" Sabian HH Heavy Ride
5. 18" Sabian AA Crash/Ride
6. 20" Sabian AAX Stage Ride
7. 10" Asian Sound Splash
8. 14" Zildjian A Custom Hi-Hats (on clutch)
9. 10" Sabian Mike Portnoy Signature Max Stax Mid
Hardware:
Tama Iron Cobra Rolling Glide double bass drum pedals, Tama Lever Glide Hi-Hat stand, Pearl cymbal stands execpt form Gibraltar boom-stand for the China, Tama boom cymbal holder for the Max Stax, Tama closed hi-hat attachment for 14" hi-hat (modified for loose hi-hats) Tama 1st Chair with backrest.
Heads:
Snare (A): Evans Power Center - Remo Ambassador snare underneath. Toms (B,C,D,E): Remo clear Pin Stripe on batter heads, Origional Pearl clear ambassador underneath. Bass drum (F): Remo Powerstroke 3 with Remo Falam Slam, Remo Ebony drumhead i front (6" cut hole down left with Bass Drum O's Chrome Hole Reinforcement System), Foam muffle ring on batter head.
Sticks:
Vic Firth American Classic 5BN
(Ahead 2B and Carbosticks for occationally practice and warmup)
Additional drums for practice:
Roland TD8-KV
The original TD8-KV Bass Drum pad is replaced with KD-8 Bass Drum Pad for more realistic feeling to acoustic bass drum. (Recommended !)
The TD8-KV Bass Drum is being used as a 4th tomtom.
Originally Hi-Hat PD-7 is exchanged with CY-12H V-cymbal Hi-Hat pad.
The PD-7 is being used as an extra effect cymbal placed between tom 2 and floor tom.
Vick Firth Headphones
Arbiter Flats Lite Rack kit
Heavyweight sound from an incredibly lightweight, portable and affordable drum kit! Arbiter Flats Lite are now supplied with a NEW foldaway Rack System for even quicker set-up/pack-up times. Flats Lite Rack also feature Arbiter’s unique ‘one-touch’ tuning system - faster and more accurate than traditional ‘lug’ tuning. More info: www.trommeslager.no
Original Arbiter snare is replaced with standard Pearl export select snare for better feeling.
16"x16" floor tom added. 15" Paiste 70's hi-hat added (loose). Pearl Hi-Hat stand.
