Jan Halsema
Jan Halsema, son of European composer Piet
Halsema, started his musical training at the Amsterdam Royal Conservatory, but quickly
fell in love with the spirit and flavor of American mainstream jazz. Jan toured much of
Europe and the Mediterranean before immigrating to America where he developed into one of
the most respected composers/performers in the industry.
In the late 60's, Jan became a pioneer in the new pitch-to-voltage electronic music technology by outfitting his Alto sax with a built in electronic pickup and a pitch-to-voltage interface. Today, Jan uses a PC computer, GS MIDI instruments, an EWI (Electronic Woodwind Instrument by AKAI), and of course his trusty alto saxophone. With all of the above, he is able to expand his musical wizardry into a unique and hauntingly beautiful experience.
In the 80's by combining acoustical instruments with the latest in electronic technology, Jan produced a recording, "The Glass Mirage" (tape), with his group "MUSIMAGERY". The 90's have been an experimental time of mixing medias, technology, and the old with the new. Mainstream Jazz intertwined with New Age Jazz - MIDI/computer compositions driving visual arts - reinterpreting and improvising upon past Jazz masters via the Internet.
Jan is a regular performer on the Landing Patio stage and leads jazz combos inside at the Landing when the Jim Cullum Jazz Band is away on tour.
