Olivier participated in special tribute concerts honoring the legendary harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans, as part of the Toots 100 celebration in 2022. He performed alongside former bandmates of Toots Thielemans, including Nathalie Loriers and Bruno Castellucci. 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.
He continually explores his own compositions alongside renowned artists such as Peter Hertmans, Wajdi Riahi, and Bart Vervaeck, while also hosting monthly sessions at Missy Sippy, where he experiments with unique collaborations across the music scene of Ghent.
Bio
Born in Ghent, Belgium, Oliviers started his musical journey in the blues scene, developing his harmonica skills at local jam sessions. Inspired by fellow musicians and the live experience, he committed himself to a lifelong pursuit of music, studying jazz at the Jazzstudio in Antwerp and later at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Immersed in the vibrant musical life of the capital, he built lasting connections with many musicians who would become collaborators in his future projects.
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.
Over the past years, 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 pop sensation Sylvie Kreusch.
Olivier harbors a deep appreciation for African traditional music, 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.