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Hendrik Meurkens - harmonica Peter Bernstein - guitar Mark Soskin - piano (tracks 6-9,11,12) Dado Moroni - piano Harvie Swartz - bass (tracks 6,7,9,11,12) David Finck - bass Tim Horner - drums Recorded June 1994 in New York City. ----------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEWS: "Most of Hendrik Meurkens's previous recordings have a strong emphasis on Brazilian rhythms but this CD is more of a modern bop date. With pianists Dado Moroni and Mark Soskin trading off, David Finck and Harvie Swartz sharing the bass spot and guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Tim Horner present on most selections, the impressive harmonica player Meurkens improvises pretty freely on material ranging from standards such as "Have You Met Miss Jones" and "All of You" to four of his own straight-ahead originals. The music is moody yet swinging, demonstrating Hendrik Meurkens' continued growth from his earlier discs." All Music Guide - Scott Yanow "...possesses a superior skill and insight needed to someday take over from Thielemans. Capably backed by talented players, Meurkens has impressive control of his unruly, stubborn tin instrument and projects decorous exuberance and agitated gentleness on originals and classics..." Frank-John Hadley - Downbeat, April, 1995 Critics' Pick - Jazziz, March 1995 "...it is very, very good and leaves one wanting more." Columbus Dispatch, March, 1995 "Meurkens' approach is to treat the harmonica like a sax and his influences include bebop legends like Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley and Charlie Parker, as wel as Toots." Winnepeg Free Press, Feburary, 1995 "The album opens with Come Rain or Come Shine, which admirably demonstrates the Dutchman's flawless command of his instrument, in particular his masterful legato, which is far more difficult to achieve than the normal staccato approach." Angus James - New Note, March 1995 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hendrik Meurkens, a virtuoso on both the chromatic harmonica and the vibraphone, is the most important jazz harmonica player since Toots Thielemans. German-born but now based in New York, Meurkens' recordings and performances garner worldwide acclaim because the transcendent beauty of his music has universal appeal. A two-mallet player in the tradition of Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson, Hendrik Meurkens was en-route to being an instantly recognizable vibraphonist when he heard Toots Thielemans. Inspired by the sound of Thielemans' harmonica, he taught himself the difficult-to-master instrument. Hendrik Meurkens' other life-changing musical experience was his introduction to samba and bossa nova. He was so moved by Brazilian music that after perfecting his unique musical voice at Berklee, as a vibraphone major, he moved to Rio in the early 80s to totally immerse himself in music and culture of Brazil. A regular Monday night gig at the popular Rio club, Bar 21, soon demonstrated his acceptance by Brazilian musicians. Meurkens' poignant, emotionally affecting harmonica proved to be a sound that Brazilians strongly embraced, and during his Rio days, he met many musicians who later became collaborators in both Europe and New York. Back in Germany by '83, he became a respected studio musician, recording with European Radio Orchestras and leading his own groups, as well as accompanying visiting legends like Harry 'Sweets' Edison and Buddy Tate. Within ten years, he had established himself as the "new jazz harmonica voice," and moved to New York, thanks to an exclusive contract with the prestigious label, Concord Records. He has since recorded fifteen albums, and continues to perform as both a guest artist, and with his own groups, both in festivals and clubs globally. Hendrik Meurkens' profound involvement in both jazz and Brazilian music resulted in a very personal and instantly recognizable version of Samba jazz. This music, a cross-cultural amalgam guaranteed to touch the heart, features his harmonica and vibes along with piano, bass and drums, playing his stirring originals and arrangements. The 'Hendrik Meurkens Sound' has been documented on a number of CDs, most notably the classic "October Colors." As a featured artist, he has recorded with Charlie Byrd, Jimmy Cobb, Ivan Lins, Monty Alexander, Claudio Roditi ,Manfredo Fest, Dori Caymmi and Mundell Lowe, as well as backing such leading artists as Astrid Gilberto and Olivia Newton John and touring with the Ray Brown Trio, Paquito D'Rivera, Oscar Castro Neves, Herb Ellis, Herbie Mann, Charlie Byrd, and James Moody among many others. Also a successful composer (his compositions have been recorded by other artists and featured in the Hollywood movie, "Dolores Claiborne,") Hendrik Meurkens remains equally at home playing jazz or Brazilian music. "My mission is simple," he explains. "I want to create music of great beauty. Check out the artist's website: http://www.hendrikmeurkens.com Track List: 1. Come Rain Or Come Shine 2. Have You Met Miss Jones? 3. Slidin' 4. The Cottage 5. Bolero Para Paquito 6. All Of You 7. Stolen Moments 8. Fortuna 9. Tribute 10. Voyage 11. Once Was 12. The Talking Trout Other Genres:
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