Date of Birth: November 2nd, 1963
Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
In Stratovarius: since 1995
Website: www.panix.com/~jens
History: Jens Johansson is one of the most influential keyboard players in heavy metal. The son of renowned Swedish jazz pianist Jan Johansson and brother of drummer Anders Johansson, he combined a classical musical education with influences from legendary rock keyboardists such as Jon Lord, Don Airey and Eddie Jobson.
After beginning his career with Silver Mountain in the early 1980s, Jens moved to California in 1983 to join Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. During the following years he recorded several landmark albums and toured extensively before joining Dio in 1989. Throughout his career he has also collaborated with Jonas Hellborg, Ginger Baker, Allan Holdsworth, Mike Stern, Shawn Lane and numerous other acclaimed musicians.
Alongside his session work, Johansson has released several solo albums and projects, including Fjäderlösa Tvåfotingar, Ten Seasons, Heavy Machinery, Fission and The Last Viking. He also co-founded Heptagon Records to release his own recordings as well as albums by other artists.
Since joining Stratovarius in 1995, Jens has become one of the defining elements of the band's signature sound. His virtuosic keyboard playing, neoclassical style and improvisational skills have helped establish Stratovarius among the world's leading power metal bands, while he continues to record solo material and appear as a guest musician on numerous international releases.
