Yanni Biography
Yanni's grandiose keyboard style is both accessible and exciting, two elements that have led to his success in the realm of adult alternative radio. His explosive, pop-influenced instrumentals and romantic pianistic ballads have also made him a popular touring and recording artist for the Private Music label. In addition to his original television, commercial, and film scores, Yanni's music has been used extensively on programs like Wide World of Sports and coverage of the Olympic games. This aspect of his career seems especially appropriate when you consider that he achieved early success not as a musician, but as a member of the Greek national swimming team. (He broke the national freestyle record at age 14.)
Born in Kalamata, Greece, Yanni arrived in the U.S. after high school and obtained a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota before diving headfirst into music. It didn't take long for the self-taught keyboardist and composer to establish himself as a studio musician, jingles composer, and producer. After gaining an impressive cult following for his first independently released album, Yanni was picked up by Private Music and has become one of the label's best-selling artists.
One of the most visible artists in the contemporary instrumental realm, Yanni's rise to fame was expedited in the early '90s by his romantic relationship with actress Linda Evans, which gained him coverage on mainstream programs like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous as well as appearances on the daytime talk-show circuit. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Hurricane chris Biography: Hurricane Chris, born Chris Dooley Jr. in 1989, blew onto the national hip-hop scene with gale-force intensity in the summer of 2007. But the young rapper, born and bred in the inner-city...
Felix da housecat Biography: Second-wave Chicago house impresario Felix Da Housecat entered the elite via his recordings (as himself, Thee Maddkatt Courtship, Aphrohead, Sharkimaxx) as well as his ownership of Radikal Fear...
Tokyo blade Biography: '80s heavy metallists Tokyo Blade went through numerous lineup changes during their career, but their only constant throughout it all was founding member Andy Boulton (guitar). First going by such...
Japanische kampfhorspiele Biography: Spurred by the strange belief that the art of grinding originated in Japan over 2,000 years ago (and also by self-diagnosed psychotic tendencies), Christof Kather (drums) and Klaus Nicodem (guitar)...
Delinquent habits Biography: Delinquent Habits formed in Los Angeles in 1991. The group was one of the first Latino hip-hop acts, mixing English, Spanish, and Spanglish lyrics together. Delinquent Habits consists of rappers Kemo...
Charalambides Biography: Possessed of one of the coolest names around -- actually a Greek surname -- Texas' Charalambides made a number through the '90s and beyond for their many recordings exploring a haunting,...
Vertical horizon Biography: The acoustic jam band Vertical Horizon was formed in 1991 by Georgetown University undergrads Matt Scannell and Keith Kane; after graduation the duo relocated to Boston, and in 1992 self-released...
Rae and christian Biography: Rae & Christian emerged in the late '90s as a successor to the many stellar British production teams of the '90s, updating the rich urban grooves of Soul II Soul and Massive Attack with a bit more...