As a teenager Jaksyzk’s intentions were to become a professional soccer player, but he failed his trial with Watford Football Club. Already playing guitar in his bedroom, he also enjoyed acting, and joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of 14. His first band, Soon After, was formed a year later. In 1975 this trio came third in a Melody Maker National Rock Competition. After various dead end jobs he eventually found acting work after leaving school, moving on to the 64 Spoons troupe, whose marriage of punk rock attitude with classical musicianship and bawdy, music hall humour were a memorable sight around the lesser venues of England. Through the Spoons Jakszyk met Dave Stewart, with whom he toured England and Europe, before appearing on Stewart’s recording with Colin Blunstone and Barbara Gaskin. He signed a solo recording contract with Chiswick Records in 1981. A series of singles ensued while an album, Silesia, was released only in Germany. Jakszyk then moved over to Stiff Records for more singles and a second album.

By 1985 Jakszyk had joined Mark Dean’s Innervision/MDM record label for album number three. In 1987 he formed an all-acoustic indo-fusion band titled Dizrhythmia, which included Danny Thompson on double bass and various Indian classical musicians. A self-titled album, for Antilles Records, found critical favour both in the UK and USA. Jakszyk then moved to New York to join avant garde band the Lodge, whose personnel included ex-Henry Cow members John Greaves and Peter Blegvad, plus Anton Fier of the Golden Palominos on drums. After contributing to and arranging material on Sam Brown’s Stop album, before joining with Tom Robinson to tour and co-write the album We Never Had It So Good. He joined Level 42 as lead guitarist in 1991, by which time his session credits included Swing Out Sister, Gary Moore and Mica Paris. In June 1994, the Resurgence label released Kingdom Of Dust, a mini-album recorded with three ex-members of Japan, Richard Barbieri, Steven Jansen and Mick Karn. It was followed by Jaksyzk’s solo album, Mustard Gas And Roses. Jakszyk has also produced several acts, appeared on television programmes including French And Saunders and Birds Of A Feather, and written about music widely in such organs as Melody Maker and Musician’s Only. His television incidental music has been heard on the Bafta-nominated Chef, Jo Brand’s Through The Cakehole and Birds Of A Feather.