Jani Allan Kristian Liimatainen is a Finnish musician, songwriter and backing vocalist . He is the former guitarist and one of the founding members of the power metal band Sonata Arctica. He has also performed with Cain's Offering, Altaria and Stratovarius vocalist Timo Kotipelto. Most of his technique is self-taught, even though he had a few guitar lessons early in his life. He is endorsed by Ibanez, plays a Destroyer DT 200 Custom, the Ibanez JPM4 P4, and Ibanez "Streetwise" USA Custom guitars & Ibanez Rg 2020X. He cites Freak Kitchen, Dream Theater, and Pain of Salvation as his biggest musical influences. He currently resides in Kotka. 

September 9th, 1980 in Kemi (Age 43)