Tue Apr 11
Jan Knutson - Solo Guitar
Washington based guitarist and composer, Jan Knutson, incorporates elements of Jazz and Classical , Bluegrass and Pop to create his original works and unique takes on classic jazz standards. His music explores and stretches the wide range of the guitar as a solo instrument, showcasing his lyricism and virtuosic command. He has performed with some of the world’s finest guitarists including Frank Vignola, Martin Taylor, and Julian Lage, and recorded two solo CD’s, Looking Both Ways and Out of Nowhere. He has performed in several music festivals including the Savannah Acoustic Music Seminar, Richmond Folk Festival, True Blue Jazz Festival, Marlow International Guitar Series, and was an Artist in Residence at the Strathmore Music Center in Washington, DC.
After beginning a degree at the Manhattan School of Music studying with Rodney Jones, Jan joined the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” as a guitarist and arranger in 2018. He completed his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 2021 and performs regularly throughout the Washington DC region.
Jan is indebted to the many wonderful teachers who shaped him, including Paul Wingo, Steve Abshire, Rodney Jones, Gerry Kunkel, Frank Latino, Heather McKay, Frank Vignola, and Martin Taylor.