“I was standing in the bar of café “De Amer” drinking a beer and I learnt that there was a supporting act. Now generally I don’t pay much attention to supporting acts, but this time I heard a sound that made me think of an old blues singer that I had heard in the Delta. I expected to see somebody from Mississippi, but to my amazement I saw a tall blond guy playing the slide-guitar and harmonica with incredible originality.

This was my first encounter with Ralph de Jongh.

Many more would follow. In the meantime, we have spent many hours talking to each other and to my astonishment it turned out we both know something about Laozi, a well-known Chinese philosopher.

Ralph de Jongh plays with conviction and with a drive that you do not see very much these days. He is totally consumed by the music and what’s more he is a young man who dares to choose not to take the ‘easy way out’: Glitter, quick success...., but instead chooses a piece of culture in the form of the music of Robert Johnson, Son House, Elmore James and Muddy Waters.

By now insiders have come to know Ralph and I hope that the media too will provide him with a podium, for if you have just a small knowledge of music you will know this is too good a chance to miss.

You’ll be hearing from Ralph.

With respect and pleasure,

Harry Muskee.”