A performer of blues and traditional
music, John Kerkhoven is
a harmonica player, singer
and songwriter based in
Matane, Québec.

A versatile and mulitdisciplinary artist, John is involved in various projects from musical-literary collaborations to a blues group to his own shows. In his own performances, he presents the musical traditions he is inspired by in dialogue with each other.

Montréal was for him a decade of apprenticeship with two main projects: BluesReel, a folk and blues duo with which he released two albums, and
The Mojo Vipers, an eclectic jazz and blues trio.

Since his arrival in Eastern Québec in 2022, he has been reinventing himself as an artist, notably with the musical-theatrical collective, Les chemins de traverse, with the group Benmanque Blues, and with two solo shows which he premiered in 2025: Migratoiry Melodies and the musical story, Le Blues de Philémon.

With Le Blues de Philémon, a project in evolution, John combines his two passions: music and writing. A writer his whole life, John also writes songs.

John has a contempory sound on the harmonica, anchored in the traditional playing techniques of the instrument.

Black Pine Waltz

A particular stand-out for me was ... the country blues fiddle tune “Black Pine Waltz” done on harmonica. Very cool!
 – Roots Music Canada

Gin House Blues

Played with a loop pedal,
a low-tuned harmonica and
a regular-tuned harmonica.

Discover more of
John’s music.

Media coverage

Click on the photos to see them in high resolution.

Photo: Ulysse Lachance-Landreville

Stage Plot

For small venues with no sound system, John can provide his own.

Photo: Elise Thierry