Daion Jam – Starts at 22:00 – Entry DK 80.00 (€10.75)
The Daion Jam took place in 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the Blues Bar — a unique evening dedicated to fans of rare Japanese instruments. The session began at 22:00, with doors opening at 20:00. During this special jam, only Daion guitars and basses were played, offering visitors an exclusive experience of the distinctive sound and feel of these vintage instruments.
Produced until the factory’s closure in 1984, Daion instruments have since gained near-cult status. The musicians who participated brought a mix of styles and techniques, creating a dynamic and inspiring musical night. The audience enjoyed both improvisations and recognizable Daion melodies, performed by an international group of artists.
Performing artists:
Hirotsugu Teradaira (Japan)
Michael D. Callahan (USA)
Drew Devlin (Australia)
Vit Musil (Denmark)
Niclas Ericsson (Sweden)
Jesper Karlsson (Sweden)
Chris Wells (England)
James Wells (England)
Jan Nissen (Denmark)
Mitch Mitchell (Northern Ireland)
Michael Bechmann (Denmark)
Richard Bechmann (Denmark)
Carsten Bechmann (Denmark)
Björn Gärdsby (Sweden/Portugal)
Merete Høeg Laursen (Denmark)
Maurice Vandebroek (Netherlands)
Filippo Lazzarini (Sweden)
Several of the artists formed a spontaneous group that called themselves The Daion Maniacs Blues Band. During the jam, visitors could see and hear how each instrument contributed its unique tone in a live setting. A fun highlight of the evening was the performance of “Sweet Home Alabama” — played as a tribute to Michael D. Callahan from Alabama, USA, who was also one of the event’s organizers. The song served as a symbolic nod rather than a regular part of the setlist.
The Daion Jam offered a rare opportunity to experience the exceptional craftsmanship and tone of Daion instruments firsthand, while also connecting with an international network of musicians and collectors who share a passion for these rare guitars and basses. The presence of Hirotsugu Teradaira, Daion’s head designer who joined the company in 1974 and was instrumental in designing notable models such as the Year Series starting in 1978, made the 2019 Copenhagen jam even more memorable for both players and admirers of vintage Daion guitars.