Jann Klose

"Blessed with a melodious voice, he tends toward exuberance whatever the lyric. Klose was born in Germany and raised in Africa, and he's based in New York. His songs' immaculately tasteful orchestration sounds like Eric Matthews crossed with Nick Drake, best of all on the waltz "Doing Time." The arrangements on "Reverie" are by turns jazzy and classical, with frequent piano parts and a dedicated oboist and violinist in the band.

His lyrics tend toward the sort of world-weary, lovesick ennui typical of poets in their mid-20s, and the lush instrumentation only swings, never rocks. Still, Klose overcomes the boredom and wins over the listener with his soaring voice, which may well be a staple of chamber pop for a long time to come." - Alexander F. Remington

“Mosaic represents his most promising effort yet, an album chock full of instantly accessible melodies and, by turns, genuine pop appeal … The fact that he’s capable of crafting angelic ballads like “Still” and “On and On,” and irresistibly upbeat entries such as “Four Leaf Clover” and “Falling Tears,” makes it clear he has the necessary skill to manipulate emotions. Likewise, his solemn and yet soaring take on Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren” demonstrates a certain savvy that’s all too rare, knowing how to retain the imprint of the original while interpreting it in such a way as to make it wholly his own.” - Lee Zimmerman, Blurt Magazine

“Jann Klose was born in Germany and raised in South Africa but his music is all-American pop rock of the finest order…Combine his songwriting and singing chops with his artful experimentation— songs include flavors of reggae, punk, and more—and you understand why Klose moves ever closer to pop-rock eminence.” - Nancy Dunham, Relix Magazine

“Klose has a fabulous, wide-ranging voice with an individual style… 4 STARS” - Mike Barnes, MOJO

"There are wonderfully atmospheric folk pop moments reminiscent of the most accessible work of David Gray and Francis Dunnery ("Beautiful Dream," "Mother Said, Father Said") and others that shimmer like Sting's latterday jazz leanings via a contemporary Kurt Weill songwriting angle ("Doing Time") and still others that hint at his African connection ("Watching You Go"). Klose doesn't fit comfortably in any particular genre, with jazz and pop and folk elements woven tightly into his sonic textures in a way that guarantees a relatively broad appeal across stylistic lines." - Brian Baker

"I just got a copy of Jann Klose and his Reverie project. This is an amazing collection to great music and every track has something special in it. My favorite cut is "Give In To This Life" that could end up becoming a radio anthem." - Jon Hudson

"Jann Klose makes complex but accessible chamber pop with intelligent lyrics and contagious rhythms. Songs like "Doing Time" and "Clouds" have a European and sometimes Beatlesque sensibility. (It doesn't hurt that Klose's voice sounds a bit like Paul McCartney's.) The German-born, South African-raised singer-songwriter, now based in the Bronx, has been a theatrical performer, and he has a fine feel for how to arrange his songs with "stageworthy" effectiveness, easily slipping in horns, strings, reeds, and more unusual instruments. The touch is light; a song like "All These Rivers" may remind you of some of Sting's solo work, while the gentle "Remember Your Name" could have come out of southern California in the 1970s. Overall, a sweet salve for troubled times." - Jon Sobel

"If you lived in Germany, Kenya and then the United States, you’d have some interesting things to say. For Jann Klose, his album Reverie is his expression that conveys his worldly sensibilities. Very insightful and somewhat ethereal, this album is an easy listen that will sweep you away with a moving orchestra backing the folk-pop melodies composed by Klose. The most striking thing about this album is the use of unusual instruments that may seem out of place, a Portuguese guitar and an accordion for example, but they inexplicably work. Vocally, Jann doesn’t have an especially impressive voice, but his forcefully sincere delivery makes up for it. If it’s at all possible, this album is both spiritual, tender and funky at the same time. It may seem like an odd combination, but the pairing of things that don’t seem like they’d work, but do – is a big part of what sets this album apart from others." - Mindy Munizaga

"This German-born singer-songwriter launched his music career here a decade ago (after first being exposed to Cleveland as a 16-year-old exchange student) and has spent the years since the 2003 release of his well-received “Black Box EP” writing and refining these 12 songs. Everything about “Reverie” showcases the current New Yorker’s wide-ranging voice. His lyrics are elementally human, measured and sincere. He’s the sort of musician who can build a song around the lyric “I don’t want to wake up this beautiful dream” without sounding trite. And while the songs are at times colored with accordion, violin or horns, Klose’s wise restraint makes each composition feel wonderfully fragile." - Jim Vickers

"Ear-grabbing pop singer-songwriter has a confident yet gentle voice, with tints if sould gospel and Afropop rhythms. The latter reflects his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya and South Africa." - Jonathan Takiff

"Born in Germany and raised in Africa, Jann Klose brings an element of world music to his adult-contemporary pop-rock. His latest record Reverie offers songs of thoughtful introspection and longing. Rich arrangements feature orchestral strings, jazzy horns and old-world accordion in addition to the standard bass, drums and guitar. Highlights include the melancholy 'Mother Said, Father Said' and Latin-flavored 'Clouds.'" - Mare Wakefield

"Jann Klose’s new album, Reverie, is a musical masterpiece with an ensemble of easy-listening sounds that invites the listener to explore their own imagination. The instrumental collaboration for Reverie includes everything from an upright bass, an accordion, drums, violin, oboe, trumpet, and a Portuguese guitar, making Jann’s music truly unique. Integrating Jann’s hypnotic voice with lush easy-listening sounds makes Reverie a harmonious success. Songs such as “Beautiful Dream”, “Hold Me Down”, “All These Rivers” and “Remember Your Name” will resonate in the deepest recesses of the listener’s mind, thus creating a mystical experience of melodious pleasure. Reverie is one beautiful dream you may not want to wake up from." - John Casquarelli