The Oph-Beats is an unusual band from Aachen which has existed since the end of 2024. The quintet around singer Ophélie Gerdes includes renowned artists from the Aachen music scene and offers sophisticated music with jazz, latin, soul and funk accents. Whether cover songs or own compositions, sometimes also without any singing, we always keep everyone in a good mood and create a lively atmosphere and unique moments.
Everyone struggles with estimating her age but does guess that she has French roots. Ophélie started very early singing in Gospel choirs in which she quickly became a soloist. Her preference for jazz, soul and blues music later lead her to different groups in the region of Aachen. Delicate? Don’t be fooled! Ophélie has a wide vocal range and an unexpectedly strong voice. Besides the singing, she plays the piano, composes and, on the scene, she sometimes plays hand percussion.
As a young man Ludger wanted to become a physicist but how lucky that the math was too difficult! Instead he became a genius on the keys with a piano degree in hand – much to the delight of different bands and ensembles of the region. But that is not all: as a musician with soul he actually plays anything that can be used to produce sounds. Yes, also a garden hose and a teakettle would work. And if not on hand, he would build something himself…
Recorder, organ, piano... In his youth, Gerd had many lessons but nothing could satisfy his curiosity quite like percussions. He taught himself the skill at the age of sixteen, and then perfected his abilities with professionals and at workshops around the world. He learnt how to master different percussion instruments in the Netherlands, Ghana, Morocco, Turkey and, last but not least, in Cuba. Caught up in Latin fever, he played on the island with several bands like Orquesta Tentación or Los Cumbancheros. Our Latin expert also ran a percussion school in Aachen for many years.
If anyone’s going to break records, it’s our second Gerd! He can be heard on more than seventy CDs, already toured Europe, Africa, South America and Asia and played at big events like the Leverkusener Jazztage, the Montreux Jazz Festival or the North Sea Jazz Festival. Gerd accompanied prominent figures from the jazz scene, such as Hermeto Pascoal, Ike Stubblefield or Liz McComb. The list is long – and the story still far from being over.
Ralf started with the guitar in a school band, but as he was the worst of the three guitarists, he was finally forced to play the bass. When the double bass came along a few years later, he developed his interest in jazz. He first gained some live experience in the Ruhr region. After moving to Aachen for business reasons, he later spent much time in sessions and workshops. For years, he has specifically attended a workshop with top-class international instructors in Tuscany, which he has now taken over the organization of. Today, Ralf plays in many jazz bands here in the tri-border region and never misses an opportunity to perform in sessions and spontaneous gigs.
Have we caught your attention? Would you like to book our band for your event? Write to us, we will be happy to be part of it!
Our upcoming concerts: