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

“I love playing blues. And my fascination with the harmonica has led me to many genres and styles of playing, not just blues, but music from the fiddling traditions with Celtic roots, such as Québécois, Appalachian and Métis. I'm always looking for meaningful associations between tunes or songs from different communities and different times. The unifying thread is the human vitality that inhabits these musical traditions and the sound of the harmonica that can be found in all of them.”

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, John has launched his show Migratory Melodies, of which Le trad soufflé au BSL is a special edition, shining a light on harmonica players and the traditional repertoire of the Lower Saint-Lawrence. He has also thrown himself into storytelling, discovering the history of his adoptive region with his show, Le Blues de Philémon. He performs with the group Benmanque Blues and in collaboration with other regional artists.

John also writes songs.

A contempory approach to 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