Johan studied classical saxophone at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. Did masterclasess with Frederick Hemke, André Beun,  Jean Marie Londiex, Iwan Roth, Daniel Deffayet and François Daneels. He was primarius of the world famous Aurelia Saxophone Quartet from 1982 till 2013. For  the Aurelia he wrote many arrangements and received many prices. In 1988, the Aurelia's won the ‘Edison Klassiek’,  a prestigious price for the best CD recording of  that year. 

The "Lind’n Kelder" duo is an new initiative. This duo with pianist Henry Kelder is specialized in new music for saxophone and piano. In this perspective they organized a concourse for composers, IACC.  This duo has a big repertoire with music specially written for them.

Johan is endorser for Le Monde saxophones, Sequoia saxophones, Selmer saxophones, Silverstein Ligatures and D’Addario Reeds.

With his wife Elske te Lindert he has a duo, Flor de Tilo. He is  a member of the Netherlands Wind Ensemble. As a freelance musician he works frequently with Dutch Orchestra's, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and many others. As a soloist he premiered a lot of saxophone concerto’s.

From 1982 till 1990 he was a member of the Royal Military Band(KMK) in The Hague.

Together  with his colleges of the  Aurelia he wrote a method for saxophone. He is a freelance soloist and playing in all kind chamber music ensembles.

He is retired professor of saxophone at 3 conservatories in the Netherlands.

Johan is composer and arranger.