Geneviève Dartevelle is a Belgian harmonica player from Brussels who has been playing harmonica since 1994, with a particular focus on blues, from the most acoustic to the most electric, but without limiting herself to that genre.
She covers Chicago Blues, Swing-jump Blues with a jazzier connotation, Boogie-Woogie and roots music…. blues in the broadest sense and its many derivatives.
She originally graduate from the ‘Université Libre de Bruxelles’ (ULB) with a degree in ‘Art History and Archaeology’, specializing in the non-European ‘arts’ (Africa, America)
But, very introverted, music has always been part of her life. But it wasn’t until after her studies that she began to perform live as a need, a necessity, a need to express herself, and above all, a need to communicate and socialize !…. She started out with the American 5 strings banjo and the mandolin, before finally devoting herself to the harmonica, which for her has become a voice, her voice !
Most of her training was self-taught, but she also took part in the handful of training courses that existed at the time, listened to as much music as she could and, , above all, played again and again with many local and international groups and musicians. She has been doing so for almost 30 years now.
Geneviève is undoubtedly the first and only woman harmonica player to plays blues harmonica professionally in Belgium. The only one who can offer you, during her many concerts, crazy, wild and unbridled solos, full of verve and imagination, through which she can express all her passion.
As such, Geneviève was invited by harmonica player Steve Baker (UK) to play and represent the few women who play the instrument and, in this case, the only Belgian woman harmonica player to play at the ‘World Harmonica Festival’ in Trossingen, Germany, in 2009.
Geneviève was also the first woman harmonica player to be invited by pianist Jean-Paul Amouroux to play at the ‘International Boogie-Woogie Festival’ in La Roquebrou (FR) in 2014.
Her influences include such names as: Little Walter, S.B. Williamson, Sonny Terry, William Clarke, Rod Piazza, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, Gary Smith, Jason Ricci ……..
Geneviève is also passionate about American roots music, folk, old time, bluegrass, Cajun and Zydeco….. as well as European traditional music and older styles…. She as always been drawn to ‘atypical’ roots music instruments: Geneviève also plays the Hurdy-Gurdy’, the Didgeridoo and the Musical Saw.
THE USA :
At the beginning of the 1990s (94-96), Geneviève had the opportunity to travel to the United States (Chicago, San Francisco, Albuquerque, New York, Montreal…), to discover the blues, to discover some legendary clubs as well as to rub shoulders and play with some famous bluesmen
– In CHICAGO,
She had the incredible good fortune to spend a few days at the producer and vinyl collector George Paulus’ house (1948-2014)(Barrelhouse Record, Negro Rhythm Record, St George Record). He gave her the opportunity to meet and play with Tail Dragger at ‘Smokke Daddy’s club in Chicago, or to see Carey Bell at Buddy Guy’s ‘Legends’ Club.
– In SAN FRANCISCO,
She met and played at Lou’s Pier with guitarist Anthony Paule and Brenda Boykin or R.J. Mischo; at the Saloon, she played with Johnny Nitro and also saw Ron Hacker in concert; at Biscuit & Blues, she saw Rod Piazza, Andy Santana & Jr Watson and harmonica player Red Archibald, with whom she also played in Brussels at the famous Grain d’Orge, the day before his performance at the ‘Spring Blues Festival’ in Ecaussinnes. She was also able to go to the Blue Lamp, a club that has closed its doors for good.
– In NEW YORK,
See and hear Jr. Mack Band and Bobby Radcliff at ‘Terra Blues’.
MUSICAL GROUPS (Past and Present) :
–PAST BAND :
Bands she has been a part of include:
– The Melotone Blues Trio (1993-1994)
– Blues Barocq (1995),
– The Backsliders (1995-1998)
– Express Electric Band (1996-2000) (CD recording: ‘Rien à personne’ Blawete Record 1997)
– Double Dose (1997-2000 +) (CD recording: ‘Have The Double Dose You Like’ )
– Charlie Roy Blues Band (1999-2003)
– Migthy Roy and the Bluesdealers (2004-2007)
– Gamelle Blues ( 2006- 2020) Blues in french, 2 self-produced CDs: ‘Gamelle Blues’ (2006) and ‘Dévoyé’ (2020) )
– The Hobo Jungle ( Roots Blues ) (2007- 2009)
– The EXCELLO’S ( Swing -Jump Blues band ) (2000 – 2020). The band took part in the
‘Belgian Blues Challenge’ in Liege in 2014 ! + Tremplin du Blues at the ‘Jazz & Blues’ Festival in Nantes (F) in 2008 (Geneviève and the Excello’s finished 2nd and won a studio prize)
– The Bluesdealers ( Blues & Boogie ) (2007 -2011) (CD: Goin’ The Extra Mile 2010 )
– Duo with Jos STEEN (2008 -2012) surrealist artist and multi-instrumentalist. Recording
of a CD ‘Hard Boiled Blues’, Sojneets production (2009).
– Duo with Bob CHRISTOPHER, recording of a CD ‘Back On The Road'(2012) – The ‘4NOISY NEIGHBOURS’ ‘Hillbilly boogie blues roots’ band
– About Neil – Tribute to Neil Young
– The ‘4Noisy Neighbours’ hybrid ‘Hillbilly-boogie-Blues& roots’ band.
– ZANZIBAR Quartet: Afro-Boogie band formed by pianist Renaud Patigny, the great representative of Boogie Woogie in Belgium. Release of the CD ‘Flali in Chicago’ on ‘Homerecords’ in October 2017.
– One Time Blues Band (2022-2023)
– Regular CONCERTS in duo or in band with Marc Lelangue
– J.F.S. and the Grunges, French songs with a blues flavour.
– She also took part in Philippe Bruno’s ‘tribute to Neil Young’ groups with ‘About Neil’ and then with ‘Homeland Band’ (American-folk-rock) + participation CD.
She has toured regularly with the American pianist and singer GENE TAYLOR (1952- 2021) (The Blaster, Canned Heat, Fabulous Thunderbirds…), as a duo, trio or group, also in the company of guitarists: Steve Freund and Morgan Davis.
CURRENT BANDS :
Geneviève currently plays with :
– DISSIDENCE BLUES : Country-world-blues trio with Patrick De Schuyter and Barry Mc Neese: CD ‘Yidaki Blues'(2021)
– De BRAAVE JOENGES‘ blues group sung in ‘brusseleir’ (Brussels) with Alain Van
Brussel and Barry Mc Neese: CD ‘De Braave Joenges en e Braaf masske’ (2022)
– CISCO HERZHAFT (Blues) in duo, trio, quartet (participation in the CD ‘Son of a Watchmaker’ 2019 – Roots & B4 2025)
– TWO WOMEN BLUES ( Duo : Mylène Chamblain and Geneviève Dartevelle): Blues and Americana
— MYLENE CHAMBLAIN BAND: Americana, blues-rock
– SMOKESTACK CHARLIE with singer Wim ‘Huibbe’ Huybrechts ( Den Huibbe) ex ‘Chilly Willy’. (Blues)
– DUO Geneviève Dartevelle & Wim Hombergen (Kleptomania) ( Blues & Americana)
– Solo project under construction: Hurdy-Gurdy and harmonica: Le Souffle dans la roue.
Geneviève also plays regularly as a guest at other musicians’ concerts, or participates in recording studios for various artists: a few examples, with : Julos Beaucarne (‘le Balbuzard Fluviatile’ 2012 CD), Hugues Draye, Philippe Bruno, rapper Mathias Cassel (ex Rockin’ Squat), Richard Belgium Cordier, Linda Lou, Thomas Franck Hopper etc………
FILMS :
Geneviève has also been asked to contribute to the soundtrack of a film: KilomètreZérO (Western parodique) by director Patrick Glotz….. (due for release in 2024)
Geneviève is also featured in the film ‘Little city Blues’ by director Peter Anger (Rtbf) (2009) on the life of musicians in French-speaking Belgium, produced by rtbf, and in the programme ‘Quai des Belges’ by journalist and current Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, on the same subject, produced by rtbf in 2011.
Among the many musicians she has rubbed shoulders with and shared the stage with, here are just a few examples:
Pianists: Gene Taylor, Renaud Patigny, Fabrice Eulry, jean-paul Amouroux ,Pierre- Alain Volondat, Daryl Davis (Chuck Berry’s pianist), Filip keetels, Patrick Smet, Jean- Pierre Bertrant, Ricky Nye, Dona Oxford, Graig Brenner, Wendy Dewitte…
Marc Lelangue, Bob Christopher, Don Croissant, P.Van Sant, The Coco Brothers , Wim Hombergen, Dany Lademacher (Kleptomania), Maurizio Pugno, Steve Freund, Morgan Davis ,Daryl Davis, Pierre lacoque (Mississippi Heat),Egidio Juke Ingala, Chicago red, Neal Black, Manu lanvin, Tail Dragger, Mark Dufresne, Jimmy Molière, Sugar Blue, Jason Ricci, R. J. Mischo, Red Archibald, Anthony Paule, Steve Bailey, Kellie Ruker, Jerry Portnoy, Charlie Musselwhite, Tony Oshana, Johnny Nitro, Awek, Gait Klein Kromhof, Guy Verlinden, Bob Darch, Guy Stroobant, Linda Lou, Giovanna Sacco, Jean-François schmit(JFK et les Grunges), Tom Goldschmit, Jeff Espinoza, Thomas Franck Hopper………..
FESTIVALS and CONCERTS (a few examples, the list being to long) – 1ST PART of :
Michel Jonasz, Manu lanvin, Peter Nathanson, Mike Welch, Bill Perry, Nine Below Zero, Otis Grand, Machiavel, Kleptomania, Centromatic and South San Gabriel, Tad Robinson and Alex Schultz, Zakya Hooker, Kyla Brox Band, Ghalia Volt, BJ Scott, Little Big6ster, Boogie Beast……
– CONCERTS and FESTIVALS, examples
– COGNAC Blues Passion (FR) 2023 in support of Michel Jonasz with Cisco Herzhaft Quartet.
-ABER Blues Festival ( Brésel Bretagne)2023 with Cisco trio
– BLUES Spirit Hinx (FR) 2023 with cisco quartet
– Chorus Blues Festival (Douzy/Sedan)(FR) with Backsliders – Double Dose, Bluesdealers and Cisco Herzhaft trio (2023)
-MEAUX Blues Festival (FR) 2023 at the Domaine de ‘Jean Claude Brialy in duo with Cisco Herzhaft
– MARNAZ Blues Festival (Fr)2022 with ‘Dissidence Blues’and 2023 with Cisco Herzhaft quartet
– MORLAIX Blues Festival (Brittany) 2022
– Missy-Sippy ( Gand) (B) 2023 in duo with Cisco Herzhaft
– Festival CLASSIC 21 (2023) with Mylène Chamblain Band
– SPOONFULL of Blues – Lessines (B) 2023 with Mylène Chamblain Band
– Banana Peel Blues Club (Ruiselede)(B)with Zanzibar (2016) Renaud Patigny and Jimmy Molière (2018) and with Cisco herzhaft Trio in 2019
– WORLD HARMONICA Festival Trossingen (DE) 2009
– HARMONICA Festival, ‘Harmo Liège’ (B) in 1995,1998, 2002 and 2008, 2012.
– Brussel Piano Summit, Boogie Woogie Festival (B) in 2004 and 2008, 2016 and 2017 with Renaud Patigny + Cambrai International Boogie Woogie Festival in 2011, 2014 and 2015, 2019
– International Boogie Woogie Festival in La Roquebrou (Fr) 2014.
– Boogie concert with Zanzibar, Renaud Patigny and Pierre-Alain Volondat at the Zuiderkroon in Antwerp
– Gouvy Jazz Festival- la madelone (B) with ‘zanzibar’ in 2016 -Gouvy Blues Festival- La madelone in 2021 with ‘Dissidence Blues’
– AB- Ancienne Belgique (Brussels) in 2008 in duet with Jos Steen in 1st part of Centromatic and South San Gabriel
– Jazz en Berry Festival 2014.
– Festival Vache de Blues 2012 in Villerupt(Fr)
– Bethune Retro Festival 2014
– Recording of 2 clips for the 10th anniversary of ‘Muziekpublique 2012.
– 6th Nuit du Blues 2013 – Espace Athéna – St saulve (Fr)
– 23rd Kaléidoscope de la Guitare (Jeunesse Musicale) 2013.
– Acosse Blues Festival (B) in 2006 and 1995.
– Machel’s Blues Festival (B) in 2003, 2004 and 2009.
– Blues Rock festival of Pepinster (B) in 1995
-7th International Jazz & Blues Festival, Palais Congrès, Liège (1997)
– Opening of the ‘Spring Blues Festival’ in Ecaussines (B) with Marc Lelangue in 2006
– Festival Interculturel des contes et des traditions de Chiny (B) with ‘Hobo Jungle’ in 2008
– Brockxlatonium, Rockabilly festival with ‘Hobo Jungle’ in 2008
– Tremplin du Blues at the ‘Jazz & Blues’ Festival in Nantes (F) in 2008 (Geneviève
and the Excello’s finished 2nd and won a studio prize)
-Europa Jazz Festival’ in Le Mans (F) in 2008
– Blues Society L’Esprit in Rotterdam in 2004, 2005, 2008 – Sang a Klang’ (Luxembourg)
– Trefpunt (Ghent)
– Spirit of 66, Verviers (B)
– Rallies, Kroegentocht, numerous cultural centres, clubs, cafés, bars etc..
RADIOS :
Classic 21 live, RCF Blues (Liège)
Rock à Gogo( J.de Pierpont) Rtbf Classic 21 , Radio 21 ( fun c’est du belge) et JP. Siesmans, Radio campus, ‘Good Morning blues’ ( ULB Brussels), Convivial poursuite radio and TV show by Philippe Lantin, radio Classic 21 Blues, ‘Blues café’ with Francis Delvaux in 2008 with Jos Steen and ‘Hobo Jungle’ Blues café in 2012 with Bob Christopher, Blues café with ‘Zanzibar’and Renaud Patigny in 2015…. Geneviève also features in the film ‘Little City Blues’ by Peter Anger (Rtbf)(2009) about the lives of musicians, produced by rtbf, and in Hadja Lahbib’s programme ‘Quai des belges’ on the same subject, produced by rtbf in 2011.
Since then, Geneviève has tirelessly pursued and multiplied her projects, concerts and studio sessions; and she remains as active as possible, to the point of ‘ruining her lips’!
