Raphaël Bas

Raphaël Bas

Raphaël Bas is a boundary-breaking guitarist and harmonica player whose sound is as unique as his journey. Born in France and now based in New Orleans since 2005, this self-taught musician has built a bold, genre-bending style that fuses Gypsy jazz, vintage French flair, and the soul of New Orleans jazz—all with his own modern twist. Performing with a harmonica rack and jazz guitar, Bas creates a layered, expressive sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

Musical Influences 

Bas draws inspiration from a wide spectrum of icons—think Django Reinhardt’s fluid swing, Paco de Lucia’s fiery technique, the electric wildness of Jimi Hendrix, the Parisian charm of Jo Privat, and the emotive harmonica stylings of Toots Thielemans. This eclectic mix informs his vibrant and ever-evolving sound.

Early Days & Evolution

He hit the stage at just 15, making early waves at local venues and the iconic Printemps de Bourges festival. That experience exposed him to a rich variety of music, shaping his artistic lens and inspiring a lifelong drive to innovate.

Career Highlights 

Over the years, Bas has collaborated with standout artists like Sam Andrew (Big Brother and the Holding Company), legendary accordionist Norbert Slama, and jazz cornetist Jack Fine. His musical journey has taken him across the globe—from France to Australia, the UK, and throughout the U.S.

In 2006, Bas co-founded Vavavoom, helping breathe new life into the New Orleans music scene post-Katrina. Their sound made waves, with one of their albums named “Best of the Decade” by WWOZ 90.7 FM. In 2007, Vavavoom earned the Big Easy Award for “Best Emerging Band.”

In 2010, he launched Harmonouche, a dynamic band blending Gypsy jazz, swing, musette waltz, Latin grooves, blues, and traditional jazz. The group has dropped three albums, with tracks featured on Putumayo’s Vintage France and Paris Café compilations. They’ve lit up stages at major Louisiana festivals including the French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest, Satchmo Fest, and Festival International de Louisiane. In 2014, Harmonouche was spotlighted as the featured band for French Quarter Festival promo campaigns citywide.

What's New

These days, Raphaël Bas is keeping the momentum high. He performs weekly in New Orleans, is currently working on his debut solo album, and is deep into a fourth Harmonouche record. His recent gigs have taken him from the sunlit streets of Nice to the bustling stages of Chicago, Brooklyn, Miami, Portland, and even back to his hometown of Bourges.

Whether playing solo or with his band, Bas delivers a captivating performance, full of nuance and emotion. It’s more than music—it’s a cross-cultural journey from the cobblestones of France to the heart of New Orleans.