Discovering Bill Evans and Toots Thielemans’ album Affinity was a turning point for Olivier Ker Ourio. This recording revealed to the harmonica player the vast possibilities of jazz on the harmonica and inspired him so deeply that he almost gave up music, before pulling himself together and seeking his own voice in the wake of Toots, his master.

With his fluid, expressive, and technically accomplished playing, Olivier transforms the chromatic harmonica into a veritable “mouth organ,” finding a personal style, close to the voice or saxophone, imbued with lyricism and harmony.

The album Affinities, the result of a collaboration between Olivier Ker Ourio and pianist Manuel Rocheman, embodies this notion of “affinity”: a deep human and musical understanding. Without a rhythm section, the two musicians engage in a natural and intimate dialogue, listening to each other, responding to each other, and supporting each other in a free and lively exchange.

Olivier KER OURIO: Harmonica Chromatique
Manuel ROCHEMAN: Piano

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