Overview

Chaz Jankel (born Charles Jeremy Jankel on 16 April 1952) is an English musician, composer and songwriter whose career began in the 1970s and has continued across several decades. He first became widely known as the guitarist and keyboard player for Ian Dury and the Blockheads, where he contributed both instrumental parts and co-wrote many of the group's best-known songs. Alongside his work with the band, Jankel has pursued a solo career, released multiple studio albums and written material that has been recorded by other artists.

Career with Ian Dury and the Blockheads

Jankel played a central creative role in the early records of Ian Dury and the Blockheads. He is credited as a co-writer on several of the band's signature tracks, including "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll," "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick" and "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3." His instrumental versatility — notably guitar and keyboards — and his facility with funk and groove-oriented arrangements helped shape the band's distinctive blend of rock, punk energy and rhythmic sophistication. For more on the band context, see Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

Solo work and songwriting

Outside the Blockheads, Jankel has released a series of solo albums that explore pop, funk, disco and jazz influences. His solo output has been characterized by catchy melodic hooks, danceable rhythms and polished production. He has nine studio albums to his name and a catalogue of songs that have attracted other performers. One of his compositions, "Ai No Corrida," was later recorded and popularized by other artists, widening the reach of his songwriting beyond his own recordings.

Musical style and influences

Jankel's style draws on a mix of British rock, American funk and dance music traditions. He is known for combining sharp, rhythmic guitar lines with prominent keyboard and synthesizer parts, often emphasizing groove and rhythmic lift. His approach to songwriting pays attention to arrangement and texture as much as to melody, which made his contributions valuable in ensemble settings and studio production work.

Selected works and roles

  • Notable co-written songs with Ian Dury: "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll," "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick," "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3."
  • Solo material: nine studio albums spanning pop, funk and dance-influenced styles.
  • Songwriter and session musician: credits include writing for other performers and contributing instrumental parts on a range of recordings.

Legacy and notable facts

Jankel is recognized for his role in forging a crossover between punk-era British songwriting and funk/dance sensibilities. His melodic songwriting and rhythmic inventiveness have kept his work in circulation among musicians and listeners interested in the intersections of rock and club-oriented music. While best known for his partnership with Ian Dury, his solo output and songwriting continue to be cited as influential by artists who value concise pop songwriting combined with sophisticated groove-based arrangements.

Beyond recorded music, Jankel's career illustrates the variety of paths available to a musician who moves between band membership, solo artistry and behind-the-scenes composing. His contributions to the late 20th-century British music scene remain part of the broader story of how punk, new wave and dance music interacted and evolved.