Jaap Kwakman (Volendam, 1977) is the guitarist, composer and lyricist of Dutch folk-pop trio 3JS, which he co-founded in 2002 with vocalist Jan Dulles and guitarist Jaap de Witte. The band broke through nationally in 2007 with their debut album 'Watermensen' and has since become one of the most beloved Dutch-language acts, releasing twelve studio albums over two decades. Alongside guitar, Kwakman plays mandolin and piano and contributes backing vocals. Outside 3JS he runs Sixstrings, an online guitar-teaching platform he set up with his wife Jenny.
3JS announced their twentieth anniversary in August 2026 with a theater tour through forty cities in spring 2027 and a closing anniversary show on 9 October 2027 at AFAS Live in Amsterdam.
On 7 August 2026, 3JS released a new single.
According to their own account, ticket sales for the 2027 anniversary tour are exceeding expectations.
In April 2025, 3JS released an acoustic album featuring their most famous songs together with the Red Limo Quartet in a new arrangement.
In June 2024, the album 'Mooie Tijden' was released, recorded with producer Bob Clearmountain, who previously worked with The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie.
3JS performs their distinctive Dutch-language narrative folk with guitar and vocals. An evening featuring the songs that have defined the band since their 2007 breakthrough.
3JS celebrates their twenty-year anniversary with a show featuring musical highlights from two decades of Dutch folk-pop.
3JS performs their distinctive Dutch-language narrative folk with guitar and vocals. An evening featuring songs from their debut album 'Watermensen' and beyond.