Yanez J Jamnik

He was born in Waukegan, Illinois on May 24, 1949 to parents John Jamnik and Mary Banic Jamnik.

He attended Mother of God Grade School in Waukegan, Illinois and Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois. Yanez studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition and Piano.

Yanez “Johnny” was a passionate and gifted musician, playing the piano and accordion from a young age. His parents started him on the accordion, which was the tradition in a Slovenian household, but he desired to play the piano. A music teacher was teaching his big sister Mary Rose “Mici/Mitzi” and she convinced his parents to let him try. Mici remembers carrying Johnny’s accordion to music lessons because he was so young and little that he could not lift the case. Once Johnny’s fingers were guided to the piano he found his lifelong passion as a pianist. His family and friends will recall how he never stopped playing the accordion, and would often play traditional polkas at family and Slovenian gatherings so everyone could dance!

As a teenager, Yanez “John” played in The Tempos and the Bryds which had a large local Chicagoland group of fans. 1960’s “garage bands” have been immortalized in many ways by the original fans, as well as new fans of this iconic style of music. These fans would often travel across the country for later band reunions throughout the decades.

Yanez was the ultimate traveling musician. The music scene of the early to mid 1970’s brought him to Salt Lake City, Utah, and the “Pink Coral Sands” that inspired some of his solo compositions. While living in Salt Lake City he played in various bands, including Equalize, often performing 6 nights a week on his Hammond B3 Organ and Leslie speaker. Yanez and his band mates would haul this giant wooden, electric organ up flights of narrow stairs, into and out of various vans and vehicles, and travel wherever a gig took them.

Yanez continued to travel with his beloved organ and keyboards back home to Chicagoland where he formed the By’yuhpa Band. A band that would not only make beautiful music, but would introduce his sister Mary Rose “Mici/Mitzi” to her soul mate Willie Irons, as well as bring Yanez together with his wife of over thirty years, Yolanda.

There was a buzz surrounding Yanez and his release of his debut solo album, Crème of Piano Soup in 1978. As Yolanda puts it, “I was his number one fan.”

This sentiment was felt by everyone who loved Yanez. He truly was a gifted and gentle soul, who expressed himself better through music than words. Yanez’s writings throughout his life include poetry, musical notes of his compositions, and whimsical dreams coming to life.

Yanez recorded Jazz Mints, as well as a demo Piano Mints which included songs from both albums. He published his works under his own record label, and could play just about any instrument he picked up. The compositions Yanez created for his loved ones, bands, and even a few ballets, were his ultimate gift to the world.

His talents and dedicated work ethic fit in perfectly in the world of advertising. He spent his career as a graphic artist in Chicago for over 30 years. The advertising world allowed him to work alongside a collection of fellow musicians, artists and free spirits. He proudly applied his creativity and attention to detail to his work.

The love of music and sports was something Yanez passed on to his children and grandchildren. He attended every horse show, cheerleading competition and baseball game while his children were growing up. After becoming a grandpa, Yanez enjoyed watching his grandchildren perform in theater, orchestra, and sports. He was so proud of each of his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments and dreams.

Yanez played in bocce ball leagues in Elmwood Park and River Forest. He also enjoyed playing pickle ball and golf, and was a lifelong baseball and Indy 500 fan.

He will be remembered for his music, his gentle spirit, and the love he had for his family.

Yanez is survived by his three children: Karolena, Justyna and Jason (Danielle), his eight grandchildren: Daniel, Emma, Olga, Chloe, Charles, Ansel, Logan and Lucien, sister Mary Rose “Mici/Mitzi” Jamnik Irons, and the mother of his children, Yolanda Jamnik, along with many loving cousins and friends who will miss him dearly.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 10th from 3 pm to 7 pm, including a memorial service at 6:30 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Avenue, Lisle, Illinois 60532.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the memory

of Yanez Jamnik to:

Off The Street Club

25 N. Karlov Avenue

Chicago, IL 60624

www.offthestreetclub.com