Steve Jansen

British percussionist Steve Jansen is best known as the co-founder of influential new wave group Japan, but since the band's breakup in the early '80s, he has remained prolific as a collaborator, studio musician, and producer. Born Stephen Batt in 1959, he co-founded Japan in 1974 with his brother, guitarist/vocalist David Sylvian, as well as bass guitarist Mick Karn and keyboard player Richard Barbieri. Guitarist Rob Dean later joined the group, and they began releasing a series of innovative, arty post-punk recordings, beginning with 1978's Adolescent Sex and Obscure Alterna...