Dutch composer Johan Jelle Solco Bakker began his study of the piano at an exceedingly young age. After less than a year of training, he switched his interest to the clarinet. In his early teens, he found his way back to the piano, mostly teaching himself by listening and playing. A year of that training, though, came at the skillful hands of Frits Jellema, an exceptional Dutch concert pianist who taught Bakker many techniques, along with the basics. In 1995 Johan Bakker completed the recording of his debut album, Het Verlangen. The solo effort offers piano instrumental numbers like "Rhythm of the Water," "Desire," "Love and Sorrow," and "Rummage Day." It took five years for Bakker's magnificent sophomore album, Whisperkiss, to be released. It has been called both moody and charming. "Little Dance," "Gentle Melody," and "Tolerance and Emotion" are some of the beautiful tracks on the recording that Bakker fans, new or old, wouldn't want to miss. ~ Charlotte Dillon