He continually explores his own compositions with his trio and quartet, while also hosting monthly sessions at Missy Sippy, where he experiments with unique collaborations across the music scene of Ghent.
Olivier participated in special tribute concerts honoring the legendary harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans, as part of the Toots 100 celebration in 2022, in which he performed alongside former bandmates of Toots. As part of a collaboration with the Conservatory of Brussels, he was featured in the production of 'Toots 100 & Beyond' at Bozar. In 2025, he opened for the Brussels Jazz Orchestra during the Toots 100 concerts at Flagey.
Bio
Born in Ghent, Belgium, Olivier started his musical journey in the blues scene, developing his harmonica skills at local jam sessions. He later committed himself to a lifelong pursuit of music, studying jazz at the Jazzstudio in Antwerp and later at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2026.
Olivier plays both chromatic and diatonic harmonicas and has worked with acclaimed artists from a variety of genres, including blues, jazz, pop, rock, folk, and world music.
His harmonica has been featured on 20 albums, as well as film and television productions. Notably, he has worked with the renowned band Absynthe Minded and contributed to the critically acclaimed album 'Comic Trip' of Sylvie Kreusch.
His deep appreciation for African traditional music is showcased by his role in Tamala, a quartet blending West-African musical traditions with diverse influences, featuring the acclaimed singer Mola Sylla. Their collaboration led to the 2021 album 'Lumba' and the 2024 release 'Diboli', which earned them 'Best Album' at the Belgian Worldwide Music Awards.
In the blues community, he remains an active contributor, hosting jam sessions and performing at blues festivals with the band 'Missy Sippy All Stars'. Sharing the stage with esteemed blues artists like Ian Siegal, Luther Dickinson and Roland Van Campenhout, Olivier continues to have a deep passion for the blues and roots tradition. He forms an acoustic duo with Leander Vandereecken and won "Best Duo Act" at the Belgian Blues Awards 2025. Olivier received nominations for 'Best Instrumentalist' from the Belgian Blues Association in both 2024 and 2025.