A leading figure in British progressive rock, singer/multi-instrumentalist Jakko M. Jakszyk is best known for his collaborations with King Crimson, among other projects. Real name Michael Lee Curran, he was born in London on June 8, 1958, and grew up in a varied musical environment, discovering progressive rock and jazz fusion at an early age. He began his professional career in the 1970s, playing in various bands before joining the jazz-rock group 64 Spoons at the end of the decade. In the 1980s, he collaborated with a number of bands, including Level 42, Samson and Dizrhythmia, and made a name for himself as a versatile guitarist and expressive vocalist. Under the pseudonym Jakko, he recorded the album Silesia (1982), featuring Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and David Jackson (Van der Graaf Generator). In 1990, he teamed up with Tom Robinson for the album We Never Had It So Good, reissued in 1997 under the title Blood Brothers: We Never Had It So Good. The decade saw him take part in various neo-progressive and experimental projects alongside musicians such as Peter Blegvad. Under the name Jakko, he recorded the album Mustard Gas & Roses (1994), with Mick Karn and Richard Barbieri of the band Japan, Gavin Harrison, Danny Thompson, BJ Cole and singer Sam Brown. 1995 saw the release of Are My Ears on Wrong? a compilation of previously unreleased tracks recorded between 1983 and 1987. The Road to Ballina, a more experimental, yet personal and family-oriented project of musical tracks, collages and audio documents, was released in 1997. Bassist Mark King (Level 42) and saxophonist Guy Barnacle take part in the experiment. In 2002, Jakszyk joined the 21st Century Schizoid Band, made up of former King Crimson members, who performed the band's classics on stage. This collaboration led him to work directly with Robert Fripp and Mel Collins on the album A Scarcity of Miracles: A King Crimson Projekt (2011), then to join King Crimson when the band reformed in its three-drummer configuration. He officiates as singer and guitarist, contributing to tours and recordings until 2021. Parallel to this band activity, Jakszyk joins The Tangent (2007 to 2009, then from 2013) and continues to pursue his own career with albums The Bruise Romantic Glee Club (2006), Waves Sweep the Sand (2009), then Secret & Lies (2020). 2025 saw the release of Son of Glen (2025), where he explored a style blending progressive rock, sophisticated pop and jazz influences.
