Jan Akkerman is a Dutch guitarist and a lute player who is noted for his innovation and experiments on guitar, guitar sounds and other musical instruments. His playing also sometimes reflects his interest in medieval and renaissance music. However, he is best associated with the Dutch rock band Focus.

Jan Akkerman

Born in Amsterdam, Akkerman started taking guitar lessons at the age of fine and having his first single album released when he was just fourteen years old. His father was a scrap iron trader from the Jordaan area in Amsterdam. He is seen using the guitar and the lute in the band Focus. He is noted for his mastering with volume swells producing sustained sounds resembling a smooth fluty notes and high-speed pyrotechnics. Akkerman is involved in articles with GitaarPlus a familiar Dutch magazine.

Jan Akkerman moved out of Focus and began his solo career with other popular musicians in 1976. Though he tried getting together with Thijs van Leer it did not prove fruitful and he went on producing several albums playing with great musicians like Herman Brood, Ice-T, BB King, Alan Price and Peter Banks.

In 1993, Jan Akkerman survived a major car accident and continued playing. After almost 20 years away from mainstream gigs and fame, Jan Akkerman started touring the UK again after he was requested  and he still tours on a regular basis.