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Hendrik Meurkens - harmonica, vibes Paquito D'Rivera - alto saxophone, clarinet Claudio Roditi - trumpet, flugelhorn Tim Armacost, tenor saxophone Lito Tabora - piano Jacaré - bass Cesar Machado - drums Reginaldo Vargas - percussion Recorded October 1990. ----------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEWS: "Meurkens may be in the process of doing for the harmonica what J.J. Johnson did for the trombone - bring an "impossible" instrument into bop...rapid single-note lines are Meurkens' speciality and they have to be heard to be believed." Shirley Lett - Cadence - April, 1992 "...demonstrates that there is hardly any other European player capable of blending bebop and Brazilian music so remarkably, without any gimmicks or clichés. Luis Tamargo - The Jazz Review, February, 1992 "....is a reaffirmation of the pleasures inherent in the marriage of jazz and samba in the 60's. The introduction of a new jazz harmonica voice is a bonus on recording of substantial merit. Simply put Sambahia is a gas." Mark Holston - Jazziz, January, 1992 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Two Four Blues 2. A Ilha 3. Minha Saudade 4. A Summer In San Francisco 5. Sambahia 6. Toby's Tune 7. Prague In March 8. Bay Area Samba 9. The Shadow Of Your Smile 10. Samba De Veråo Other Genres:
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