Joep Berkenbosch stands out as one of those rare musical talents who not only excel at playing their instrument but who also have a great voice and write their own material. Joep is a self-taught musician and was fortunate to spend his formative years in the company of some amazing players, both on and off the stage. Joep grew up with his father’s record collection of 60s and 70s Blues/Rock at his fingertips. This provided him with some of the greatest guitar teachers a young player could wish; most importantly Jimi Hendrix. At fifteen Joep was asked to join his first band as a lead guitarist and played his first gig. He has been working as a session player ever since, recording and playing festivals and clubs all over Europe with many different (inter-)national acts.

In 2007 Joep started focusing on writing and performing his own material and in December of that year he was a finalist in Holland’s most prestigious live music competition (Grote Prijs van Nederland) where he won the Musicmaker Best Musician Award for his ‘amazing voice’ and ‘virtuoso guitar playing’. In 2008 Joep toured Holland extensively as an acoustic solo act while putting together his band: Joep Berkenbosch (guitar & vocals) Tijn De Smidt (keys), Frederic Gervais (bass) and Don Wielogroch (drums) played their first gig later that same year. Joep Berkenbosch’s music is a mix of Rock, Blues, Soul and Funk. Joep himself has been compared to some great artists like Michael McDonald, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, John Legend and John Mayer. Come see him live and make up your own mind!

© 2009 Joep Berkenbosch