Biography

John Hackett is known for his distinctive sound in the world of progressive rock flute and as an accomplished soloist. Solo flautist, guitarist, singer and composer, John is best known for his work with his brother Steve Hackett, the former Genesis guitarist, and the ambient group Symbiosis.

He began by learning guitar until aged 15, after hearing Ian McDonald playing with rock band King Crimson, he took up the flute. He collaborated with his brother on his early albums, Voyage of the Acolyte and Please Don’t Touch before leaving Sheffield University to work with Steve, who had just left Genesis. This led to further recordings and tours of the UK, USA and Europe with John playing flute, guitar and bass pedals.

Meanwhile he continued studying flute with Edward Beckett and later David Butt and joined the English Flute Quartet for concerts in the UK, including the Purcell Room.

As a composer of flute music for relaxation, he has recorded several albums with Clive Williamson and the ambient group Symbiosis which has led to commissions for the BBC.

He has also recorded five solo and duo albums, mostly for flute. In 2000 Sketches of Satie for flute and guitar by John & Steve Hackett was released by Camino Records and chosen by Nick Bailey of Classic FM as his album of the month. This was followed by Velvet Afternoon for flute and piano with Sally Goodworth, an album of John’s own compositions inspired by the music of Satie and others.

2005 saw a change of direction with John releasing a rock album of his own songs, lyrics by Nick Clabburn, Checking Out of London which was given 5 stars in Record Collector magazine. The John Hackett Band then appeared in the UK with performances at the Astoria, London, the Boardwalk, Sheffield and Charterhouse School.

An experimental flute/dance album Red Planet Rhythm with Moodi Drury was then followed by another album of John’s compositions for flute and guitar, Prelude to Summer, which featured guitarists Steve Hackett and Chris Glassfield.

Over the years John has continued to work with his brother in the Steve Hackett Acoustic Trio with Roger King on keyboards. They have toured the UK, Europe, Japan and the USA and made a number of live recordings.

Recently the John Hackett/Nick Magnus duo have given concerts in Europe and the UK with their unique blend of progressive rock flute and keyboard.

John Hackett is one of the few players in the world to play a vertical flute.