«(...) Olivier Ker Ourio, a fine musician whom everyone is vying for…»
Francis Marmande – Le Monde

«Olivier Ker Ourio, voted Best French & Foreign Jazz Harmonica Player»
JAZZMAGAZINE 2025

«Playing the harmonica is practically like being a singer.« And this is evident from the very first track of the CD. Through the natural fluidity of his phrasing and the precision of his timing, through the variety of his timbre and effects, through his elegant slides and sensual purrs, a kind of »cooing meow« (Colette), Ker Ourio sings and enchants.»
Pascal Anquetil | CHOC JAZZMAGAZINE 2026

«The album AFFINITIES: “…Ultimately, all of this results in a surprising, vibrant, subtly «cultured» album to listen to again and again until the end of the night. And perhaps more…”
Pascal Anquetil | CHOC JAZZMAGAZINE 2025

«Olivier Ker Ourio is to French jazz what Jean-Jacques Milteau is to the blues: THE benchmark. Mr. Harmonica. Ker Ourio, however, plays a chromatic harmonica, that is, one with a valve (which allows him to play sharps and flats). The timbre is different. And then there's something else. This musician from Réunion distinguishes himself with a very personal universe of swaying rhythms. He sums up his journey: «My ancestor arrived from Lorient in 1728. I grew up lulled by Maloya, the song of the slaves. From this, I inherited a boundless love for melody. My childhood was steeped in Louis Armstrong records. I felt the call of jazz while studying computer science in 1985 in Grenoble. It was a revelation at a concert on campus.»
Since then, the virtuoso has continued to enrich his repertoire. This inspired worker composed all the tracks on the album Magic Tree, effortlessly moving between styles (calypso, habanera, cachuca, etc.). His improvisations display considerable mastery. At times, his heart overflows. For example, at the New Morning concert, during a piece dedicated to his wife (Jenn, who appears on the CD), the leader treated the captivated audience to a magnificent second solo. It's worth noting that on December 11th, he was joined by three other musicians (guitarist Philippe Catherine; drummer André Ceccarelli; and organist Emmanuel Bex). Ker Ourio is a musician who thrives on collaboration. He listens, respects, and shines in return. The first time he was introduced to Michel Petrucciani, they played until 7:00 a.m. Others have also fallen under his spell (Michel Legrand, Georges Moustaki, Aldo Romano, Rick Margitza, etc.). No wonder: this passionate musician is a tireless storyteller. Who would turn down a good story?»
Bruno Pfeiffer | Libération.fr

«"In the world of jazz, Toots Thielemans, the man who transformed this toy-like instrument into an essential voice in jazz and film (remember Sam Peckinpah's The Getaway in 1972?), still casts a long shadow over the chromatic harmonica. With his seventh album since 1998, Magic Tree, Olivier Ker Ourio steps into his own spotlight, harmonica in hand, breathing into it as naturally as one breathes in the calm of a summer evening. The light is soft; the son of Réunion Islanders has climbed the magical tree of his childhood and watches the twilight over Saint-Denis. He dreams. And he has ideal companions for this: Emmanuel Bex, who blends the sounds of his Hammond organ with emotion and warmth, sometimes very similar to the harmonica; Philip Catherine, the true master, the guitarist steeped in melody; and André Ceccarelli, who discreetly ensures the rhythms are perfectly steady.".
It is to these rhythms that OKO, Olivier Ker Ourio's, compositions sway, all original: calypso, habanera, cachucha, and others that the jazz critic struggles to identify, even as he revels, euphoric, in generously lyrical improvisations. One understands why so many musicians, from Michel Petrucciani to Ralph Towner, from Georges Moustaki to Michel Legrand, from Aldo Romano to Rick Margitza, have been eager to play with him: he has the breath of the soul.»
Michel Contat 4 Keys Telerama

«In the world of wind instruments, there is a very privileged brotherhood, blessed by the gods. These are the musicians whose breath is naturally imbued with music. As soon as they put their instrument to their lips, be it a saxophone, a trumpet, a flute, or a harmonica, the music is there, immediately, without detour or escape. Like an undeniable truth that instantly plunges the listener into a state of weightlessness through the sheer truth of the inner song it evokes. This added lyricism is called charm. Lester Young, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, and a few others have mastered this gift that allows them to transform their breath into that 'something blue that seemed like a wing' (Victor Hugo). Olivier Ker Ourio undoubtedly belongs to this chosen tribe." With this debut album for Dreyfus Jazz, Olivier Ker Ourio invites us on a new and essential journey… this gentle nomad of the harmonica has surrounded himself, depending on the track, with like-minded companions. All are true adventurers of free music: pianists Manuel Rocheman and Jean-Michel Pilc, guitarists Sylvain Luc and Louis Winsberg, singers André Minvielle and Danyel Waro, trombonist Glenn Ferris, kayamb player Laurent Dalleau, not to mention a dream rhythm section with André Ceccarelli and Diego Imbert… Each time, charm and magic, swing and poetry are present. It's so rare!»
Pascal Anquetil – Jazzman