Paris-based musician, composer, band leader, and highly-regarded soloist, Olivier Ker Ourio has established himself as one of the world’s premiere chromatic jazz harmonica players. Acclaimed by critics as a true inheritor of Toots Thielemans, OKO is a highly demanded soloist (Alexandre Desplat, Jean-Claude Petit, Sylvain Luc, Marcel Azzola, Michel Legrand, Didier Lockwood, Danyel Waro, Ralph Towner…) as much as a great composer and project leader. In his 14 albums recorded as a leader, his compositions combine lyric melodies with invigorating rhythms and inventive harmonies. Emotionally expressive, warm and inviting, Ker Ourio’s music is committed, fresh, and melodic — and above all, straight from the heart. His new album “LIFE AS IT IS” recorded with Mathis CORDIER (guitars), Benoît SOURISSE (organ), André CHARLIER (drums), & Special Guest Andy NARELL (steel drums) was released March 27, 2026.