Yens Uhansson Swedish keyboardist and power metal pianist. Country: Sweden

1. Biography of Jens Johansson
2. Early Life and Career
3. Solo Work and Collaborations
4. Musical Style and Equipment
5. Discography with Stratovarius

Biography of Jens Johansson

Jens Johansson is a Swedish keyboardist and pianist in the power metal genre. He is recognized as one of the pioneering and most influential "shred" keyboardists for his high-speed neoclassical and jazz style of playing.

Early Life and Career

Jens Johansson is the son of renowned Swedish jazz pianist Jan Johansson and the brother of drummer Anders Johansson. He received classical music education and in 1982, he left the jazz-fusion group "Slem" to join the Swedish metal band Silver Mountain, where his brother Anders was also a member.

In 1983, Johansson moved to California, USA, and joined Yngwie Malmsteen as a keyboardist in his band Rising Force. This collaboration led to numerous recordings and worldwide tours, and he remained with Malmsteen until 1989. Johansson also played with Dio in 1989 and 1990.

Solo Work and Collaborations

Like his brother Anders, Jens Johansson began a long-term collaboration with Jonas Hellborg, resulting in critically acclaimed progressive and avant-garde recordings, including "Dissident," "Silent Run" (an acoustic piano trio featuring drummer Ginger Baker), and the hardcore progressive fusion work "E."

In 1995, he joined the power metal band Stratovarius and has been a member ever since, while also releasing solo albums and participating in other projects as a session musician.

Musical Style and Equipment

Throughout his career, Jens Johansson has used a variety of synthesizers. Among his favorites are the Korg Polysix, Yamaha DX7 (starting from Rising Force until the present), Oberheim Matrix series, and Roland JV-1080. He also has a fondness for the Hammond Organ. Johansson is also a computer enthusiast and has been using Steinberg programs, such as Cubase, for a long time. His recording "Fission" is an example of his passion for computers, filled with special effects and sound experiments.

Discography with Stratovarius

- Episode (1996)
- Visions (1997)
- Visions of Europe (1998)
- Destiny (1998)
- Infinite (2000)
- Intermission (2001)
- Elements, Pt. 1 (2003)
- Elements, Pt. 2 (2003)
- Stratovarius (2005)