SA: Legendary studio engineer John Paul De Stefani passes away

His recordings at his famous B Sharp Studios in the Johannesburg suburb of Boksburg kick-started the careers of artists and bands like Sugardrive, Wonderboom, Just Jinjer, Prime Circle, The Parlotones, Karen Zoid, Tweak and Fokofpolisiekar, among many others. 

Born in Italy in 1959, De Stefani relocated to South Africa in his youth and later started working on demos that bands could take to the big record labels in search of a deal. He gradually grew the studio’s portfolio of services, eventually becoming the go-to place for many musicians. He recorded, mixed, mastered and even played guitar on many of the recordings he worked on throughout the years.

He was revered for his theoretical knowledge of music, technical expertise and calm demeanour in the studio, with many young musicians seeing him as a father figure, musical inspiration and role model.

“Our beloved father, son, brother and uncle passed away at 12.50am this morning [13 May] from a severe infection and complications relating to his TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) done in June 2023,” his daughter Monica De Stefani wrote on social media. “We are immensely proud of the impact he made on so many lives and the music recording he honed to perfection. He was incredibly talented at making people’s music an artistry. He will be missed and remembered in the music community.”

Various artists and players in the South African music industry took to social media to pay tribute to the respected musician and engineer:

Just Jinjer member Denholm Harding wrote: “When I moved back to SA, after living abroad for over a decade with Just Jinjer, I decided to enter the world of music production… with no technical knowledge of how to go about it. I had talent and passion but JP patiently taught me everything else. He was fundamental in crafting what would become the sound of '90s and 2000s rock music in our country and the history books will attest to that. As with other bands, the Jinjers recorded their first ever demos, subsequent projects and albums at B Sharp studios.”

Ex-éVoid and Wonderboom drummer Danny De Wet said: “Shocked and devastated. Countless young bands/artists went into B Sharp Studios in Impala Park to make a recording, then left with ‘next level’ versions of their songs and a musical education of note (arranging, harmonies, inversions, etc.) and had their gear ’set up’ correctly with ‘life lessons’ that would carry them forever. RIP John Paul De Stefani – you leave a huge legacy, Sir. Thank you! I first met Fokofpolisiekar (who had come all the way from Cape Town especially to do their first album) at B Sharp Studios in Boksburg – the soulful place where Jesse and Johnny Clegg laid down ‘I’ve Been Looking’, their milestone duet. Wonderboom did ‘Take Me Home’ there and, with John Paul De Stefani at the helm, I recorded my Hypocrites Unite gospel CD at B Sharp. Karen Zoid, Fuzigish, Just Jinger and lots and lots of other South African acts, also recorded albums there.”

Wonderboom said: “We are so saddened by the news of the passing of the great JP De Stefani – recording guru, guitarist and all-round beautiful soul. His Midas touch on our recordings always gave us the upper hand in world-class production. So many great bands recorded their albums at B Sharp Studios. His sense of humour and big heart will live with us forever.”

Musician and producer Peach van Pletzen wrote (partly translated from Afrikaans): “A true legend who has been behind some of the best and biggest albums ever to come out of SA. He was a mentor and I learnt so much from him with every session. I was in his studio with SHU, Yesterday’s Pupil, Bittereinder, Van Coke Kartel, Oorlog Frankenstein and Joseph Clark, among others. We stayed there for a month when we recorded Skop, Skiet & Donner [Van Coke Kartel album], one of my best memories. He played the guitar solo on ‘Cocaine’. He had the best musician jokes, and we played as much pool and ate as much pizza as we recorded.”