Blank & Jones
German electronic duo known for trance and chill-out music.
Blank & Jones are a German electronic music duo, consisting of Jan Pieter Blank (known as Piet Blank) and René Runge (better known as DJ Jaspa Jones). They have released more than a dozen studio albums, including the long-running Relax series, and more than two dozen singles since their first single "Sunrise" in 1998. Their work spans trance, chill-out, and collaborations with notable artists, and they are known for their extensive Relax series and the So80s compilation series.
- Members
- Piet Blank (born June 15, 1971), Jaspa Jones (born June 27, 1968)
- First single
- Sunrise (1998)
Lore & Background
Piet Blank became interested in music after purchasing his first record "Kids in America" by Kim Wilde and first spun a record at age 16. René Runge, better known as Jaspa Jones, had his first experience as a DJ at age 19. Together, they formed the trance production team Piet Blank & Jaspa Jones after meeting at the Popkomm music conference. Their first single, "Sunrise", was released in 1998, and their first album, In da Mix, came out in 1999. As of 2008, thirteen of their singles reached the German top 50, with three in the top 20, and each album made the top 50, including two in the top ten.
Blank & Jones have collaborated with Robert Smith from the Cure, Anne Clark, Sarah McLachlan, Claudia Brücken, Pet Shop Boys, Delerium, and Bernard Sumner of New Order. They contributed to the Café del Mar compilation series and produced more than 15 editions of the Relax series. In 2006, they released The Singles, a compilation of their finest material with two new tracks, accompanied by a DVD of their videos. From 2009 to 2019, they curated the So80s series of '80s music compilations, totaling 24 volumes, and also curated So80s albums for Kajagoogoo, Falco, Sandra, and Alphaville.
Their chart success is partially based on club gigs, radio shows, and live performances at events such as Love Parade, StreetParade, and Mayday. They have been active as moderators on Eins Live-TV and co-hosts on Viva-Clubrotation. Piet Blank also hosts the Club Mix radio show on Lufthansa international flights, featuring artists such as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and Fritz Kalkbrenner, in both German and English.
Reader's Guide
Blank & Jones have been a consistent presence in German electronic music since the late 1990s, with a career spanning over two decades. Their significance lies in their ability to blend trance and chill-out styles, producing both club-oriented tracks and ambient Relax series albums. Their collaborations with prominent artists like Robert Smith, Pet Shop Boys, and Bernard Sumner brought them wider recognition, while their So80s compilation series helped preserve and popularize 1980s music. Their live performances at major festivals and international tours, along with their radio and TV hosting roles, contributed to their sustained popularity. The duo's use of digital tools like Final Scratch allowed them to create unique sets, with about 60% of their material being their own repertoire. Their legacy includes a large discography of albums and singles, as well as production work for other artists, such as Sandra's 2012 album Stay in Touch.
Did You Know?
- Piet Blank's first record was 'Kids in America' by Kim Wilde.
- They collaborated with Robert Smith from the Cure on the track 'A Forest'.
- They curated the So80s series of 24 compilation albums from 2009 to 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Blank & Jones?
Blank & Jones is a German electronic music duo made up of Jan Pieter Blank (performing as Piet Blank) and René Runge (going by DJ Jaspa Jones). Together they have produced over a dozen studio albums and numerous singles since the late 1990s.
What is the Relax series by Blank & Jones?
The Relax series is a long-running collection of albums by the duo that has become one of their most recognizable and enduring projects. It showcases their signature blend of trance and chill-out electronic production.
What was Blank & Jones's first single?
Their debut single was "Sunrise," released in 1998. That track marked the beginning of a career that would go on to produce more than two dozen singles.
What genres does Blank & Jones work in?
The duo's output primarily spans trance and chill-out electronic music. They have also done collaborative work with other notable artists across the electronic scene.
What is the So80s compilation series?
So80s is a compilation series associated with Blank & Jones that curates tracks with a nostalgic, retro-electronic feel. It sits alongside their Relax albums as one of the duo's signature catalog projects.
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