Jan Preston is a knockout boogie pianist, composer and songwriter, who has captured audiences around the world with her energy, sparkling charm and wit.
From a remote town on New Zealand's South Island, Jan was one of four piano students from the entire country chosen for the prestigious classical piano Degree at Auckland Conservatorium. She emerged five years later, sporting her purple mini skirt and buzz cut hair, and moved to Wellington becoming the musical director for Red Mole theatre troupe, touring NZ as the support act for Split Enz in 1974. Sam Neil was a director for the NZ Film Unit at the time and came on the tour to direct the film "Red Mole on the Road". He later offered Jan her first job as a film composer for another of his documentaries, thus launching her decades long career as a film composer.
From rubbing shoulders (literally) with Joey Ramone at CBGBs whilst living and playing in New York, to sitting on the piano stool beside Spike Milligan while he played her "Autumn Leaves", to giving piano lessons to Jane Campion as part of her research for 'The Piano", Jan shares many unforgettable experiences from her long and varied career in 50 Years in Pianoland.