Ralph de Jongh (NL)
March 8, 2025
RALPH DE JONGH
Ralph de Jongh, a blues singer, guitarist, and composer, was born in Roosendaal, Brabant. His musicality and creativity have been evident since childhood. Since the 1990s, he has been playing guitar, singing, and writing his own songs. In 1992, he formed his first band, The Blue Band, with Harmen Fraanje. This was followed by the formation of The Three Nobody’s and The Furious Freaking Dales.
In 2001, De Jongh opened for Peter Green. A few years later, in 2004, he was ‘discovered’ by Harry Muskee of Cuby and the Blizzards. Muskee was so impressed that he invited De Jongh to join him as a regular support act on his 2006 and 2008 tours. In 2007, the rising blues talent also supported Normaal.
In 2010, Ralph de Jongh & Crazy Hearts was formed, featuring guitarist Christof Bauwens, bassist Jasper Mortier, drummer Marcel Wolthof, saxophonist and percussionist Arend Bouwmeester, and keyboardist Bas Mulder. That same year, De Jongh won the Dutch Blues Award for Best Vocal, which led to him representing the Netherlands at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis—a blues hero was born!
Today, the Ralph de Jongh Band includes Ralph de Jongh (vocals, guitar, and harmonica), Maarten Ouweneel (guitar), Joost Verbraak (trumpet, trombone, and percussion), Arie Verhaar (drums), Rogier Hemmes (bass), Ewa Pepper (violin), and Arend Bouwmeester (saxophone, clarinet, and percussion). Each performance is unique, with musical styles ranging from classical to country, rock to reggae, and blues to folk.
