Biography
The first professional gig jan-Olof Strandberg ever made was with the late Rock legend Rauli Badding Somerjoki in 1975. This can be called a start of a long carrier!
After 1975 there has been several important groups and many things going on and here are some of them:
Funky President: Timo Turpeinen, Right-Hand Hänninen, Kyösti Toivanen, Kari Vahtiala, Jan-Olof Strandberg & Matti Junttila
The group lasted from 1975-1980 and recorded one single and a maxi single for Kompass Record (1979)
Kosmopojat: Ilkka Rantamäki, Jan-Olof Strandberg, Jukka Tolonen, Esa Kotilainen & Upi Sorvali and some other musicians from time to time.
This group made a recording for YLE 1978 (radio) and this was Strandbergs firs studio session. Strandberg made also other radio recordings with Ikkka Rantamäki like a session in 1980 for Swedish radio. Also several tours where made with the group in both Finland and Sweden. Strandberg has recorded four CD`s with Ilkka Rantamäki
Steel City: Kaija Kokkola, Hannu Heinisaari, Risto Asikainen, Esko Toivanen, Jan-Olof Strandberg & Antti Snellman
Strandberg was with the group between 1981-1983 and recorded a few singles. They also performed on a few TV shows.
Abdel Kabirr: This was important because it was the first LP where Strandberg was featured. The record was released in 1983 and included musicians like: Right-Hand Hänninen, Bill Carson, Gus Isadore, Paul Willjams, Hassan Bah, Jukka Hakoköngäs and some more….
Bianca Morales & FF: Bianca Morales, Right-Hand Hänninen, Seppo Kantonen, Jussi Liski, Timo Pratskin, Jan-Olof Strandberg, Lasu Valjakka, Vesa Aaltonen, Jartsa Karvonen and some others……
The group was active between 1984-1986 and recorded an LP called “Our Party” for Polarvox as well as a few singles. The group performed on several TV shows between those periods.
Pepe Ahlqvist: Pepe Ahlqvist, Kurre Tulikallio, Kyösti Toivanen, Jan-Olof Strandberg
The group performed between 1983-1987 and made one tour to Poland in 1987.
The group appeared also as Raimo Raivo & Pakkopaita, then with Harry Finer on harmonica & vocals. They appeared on some TV shows as Raimo Raivo.
Strandberg Project: Strandberg has recorded five solo albums since 1995 and the sixth one will be released on 23 of February 2011.
Strandberg has toured as solo and with the Project in the following countries: Finland, Sweden, U.S.A, England, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Estonia, France, Austria and Italy and appear on several TV shows.
The current Strandberg Project lineup is: Jan-Olof Strandberg, Sami Virtanen, Jukka Gustavson & Jartsa Karvonen with regular guests as Paul Jackson, Armand Sabal-Lecco & Raul Vaigla. Other collaborators has been: Right-Hand Hänninen, Dan Antone, Aksu Ahlros, Manuel Dunkel, Harri Lehtonen, Juhani Vitikka, Tom Nekljudow, Pope Puolitaval, Mikko Koponen, Timo Lassy, Sami Järvinen, Warre Wartiainen, Dominique Di Piazza, Mel Gaynor, Tomuyaki Abe and some more….
Paul Jackson Funk Attack: The group made a few gigs in 2003.
Paul Jackson, Jan-Olof Strandberg, Right-Hand Hänninen, Tomuyaki Abe, Dan Antone & Manuel Dunkel.
The Fusion Project: This is an interesting group led by Mel Gaynor. There is one recording called Code Name: The Fusion Project. It was recorded in France and released in 2006 by Musea. Strandberg was a member of the group between 2005-2007. Other members at the time where: Stephane Derau-Reine, Mel Gaynor, Jean Lassallette and Jan-Olof Strandberg
Timeline: Timeline is a group that plays progressive Rock with the spirit of the -70`s. The band has been working since 2007.
Timeline is: Jukka Gustavson, Altti Uhlenius, Kari Airola & Jan-Olof Strandberg
Rauno Nieminen built in co-operation with Jan-Olof Strandberg a Signature Strandberg acoustic bass guitar for world market. The guitar company Landola did produce the instrument between 1997-2001. The instrument got great reviews worldwide.
Strandberg has been writing and writes for several music magazines like: FUZZ (Sweden) Rytmi (Finland) Bass Magazine (Netherlands) Bass Frontiers (U.S.A)
Other Groups that Strandberg is involved with today are: Highway, Tommi Varjola Group, Paidarion, Progression and some more...
