Steffen Basho-Junghans

German Avant-Garde Guitarist and Composer

German guitarist and composer, born 27 November 1953 in Vielau, Saxonia, German Democratic Republic - Died 01 Dec 2022. At the age of 17 he taught himself to play acoustic guitar and in 1978 formed the folk band Wacholder. In 1979, influenced by the American guitarist Leo Kottke, he began performing solo instrumental music on 6- and 12-string guitar. Throughout the 1980s he became influenced by artists on John Fahey’s Takoma Records label. During this period he discovered the music of Robbie Basho, and subsequently became interested in Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho, who had influenced Robbie Basho. Steffen Junghans incorporated the name ‘Basho’ into his own, as a mark of respect. Throughout the 1980s he lectured on acoustic guitar history and performed numerous concerts. His music, unorthodox explorations between traditions and experimentation, is influenced by North American Indian, Asian, New music and European classical music.