"“Every show we play with much intensity and expressiveness”, “Hit people in the heart, not the head” – John

John F. Klaver is a Dutch guitarist, singer, composer and music teacher. He began playing the guitar at the age of eleven, inspired by Gary Moore, Robben Ford and Jimi Hendrix. After graduating for his VWO-diploma, he decided to study in America. There he attended Stagg Highschool as a ‘senior’ and took private guitar lessons as well as music theory classes at the University of the Pacific.  Back in the Netherlands, he was admitted to the conservatory of Amsterdam and received lessons from Jesse van Ruller, Martijn van Iterson and Eef Albers. In 2007 he started his own formation, the John F. Klaver Trio, that would later become the John F. Klaver Band.

With Iris Sigtermans (bass), Eric Dillisse (drums) and Bob Fridzema (Hammond) by his side, John plays modern blues with an authentic feel. The first accomplishment was the CD Jetpepper, that was released in 2008. The second album, “Coming Back For More”, followed in April 2011 featuring guest performances by Bennie Veldman and Rob Mostert. The album was a major success, being voted Best Dutch Blues CD 2011. Well-known music magazines also noticed John and devoted several articles not only to the band, but also to the amplifiers and effect pedals that John builds himself under the name of ‘Klaver’.

With the third album ‘Wheels in Motion’ (November 2012), featuring guest musicians Big Pete (Best Dutch Blues harpist 2011), Evan Jenkins (Matt Schofield Band) and again Rob Mostert, it is clear that John F. Klaver and his band should be reckoned among the leading Dutch blues acts. After winning the Dutch Blues Challenge in 2011 and getting through to the semi-finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, the band is definitely ready for the international podia. As Matt Schofield said: ‘John is one of the most interesting Guitarists out of Holland’.

The John F. Klaver Band already played at many big festivals, among which Moulin Blues, IBC Memphis, EBC Berlijn, Big Rivers, Jazz in Juketown, Oosterhout Blues Festival and Blues Aan Zee. The band also featured as a support act for musicians like Dana Fuchs, Matt Schofield, Julian Sas and Johnny Winter.

 

‘John F. Klaver, a Dutch little secret that’s now survacing as a jewel’ (Arrow Classic Rock Radio)
‘The tracks are divers…John can do it all, this album is enjoyment’  (Dutch Bluesmagazine.nl)
‘I am convinced that the qualities of John F. Klaver won’t be unnoticed by the bigger audience and that we will see him at the bigger festivals’ (Bluesbreeker)
‘Excellent guitarwork’ (Harry Muskee, Blues radio)
‘An album that graps you from the first notes’ (Bealestreet.be)
‘You can say John delivered a great  album. It swings, grooves and sounds fresh and playful’ (Musicfrom.nl)
‘One of the best new bluesproducts from The Netherlands (Bluesforum.nl)