Hendrik Meurkens
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 group has been documented on a
number of CDs, most notably the Hendrik Meurkens
desert island disc, October Colors.
As a featured artist, he
has recorded with Charlie Byrd, Jimmy Cobb, Ivan
Lins, Monty Alexander, Claudio Roditi, Manfredo
Fest 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.”
Like any great musician, Hendrik Meurkens still
practices incessantly, yet his music remains
very melodic and rhythmically pleasing. “I like
beautiful music, Sinatra, Jobim, Charlie Parker,
so I concentrate on playing things that the
audience can enjoy. Complicated music doesn’t
really mean anything except for professionals
who want to analyze it. I want people to feel
what I do and the best way to do that is to play
something touches their hearts.”
Quotes
“...one of the world’s
leading exponents of the jazz harmonica...”
Marcela
Breton - JazzTimes
“With flawless
intonation and time, and a deep bag of solo ideas,
Meurkens could
be favorably
compared to the great Toots Thielemans and
the best who’ve ever elevated the
status of the ‘Mississippi saxophone.”
Dan Emerson – Pulse
Magazine
“...he has a
natural inclination for seeking out
beauty, for breathing harmony of
color into
themes and extemporization.”
Frank-John Hadley -
Downbeat
“The ease with
which Meurkens masters a chromatic
harmonica
is evident in
the fluidity of his lines and phrasing.”
Nance Ann Lee –
Jazz &Blues Report
Downloads
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>
Hendrik Meurkens Bio (pdf)
>
Hendrik Meurkens "Amazon River" Reviews (pdf)
Photos
>
Hendrik Meurkens Hi-Res Press Photo 1
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Hendrik Meurkens Hi-Res Press Photo 2
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Hendrik Meurkens Lo-Res Press Photo 1
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Hendrik Meurkens Lo-Res Press Photo 2
Mp3 Samples
Hendrik
Meurkens - Sambatropolis (2011 Sample)
Hendrik
Meurkens - Amazonas (2011 Sample)
Hendrick
Meurkens - Lingua de Mosquito (2011 Sample)
Hendrick
Meurkens - Here's That Rainy Day (2010 Sample)
Hendrick
Meurkens - The Winter Sea (2010 Sample)
Hendrik
Meurkens - Piano na Mangueira (2005 Sample)
Hendrick
Meurkens - Meu Canario Vizinho Azul (2005
Sample)
Hendrik
Meurkens - Amazon River (2005 Sample)
Hendrik
Meurkens - Passarim (2005 Sample)
YouTube Videos
Hendrik
Meurkens - In a Sentimental Mood (Live 2013)
Hendrik
Meurkens - Sambatropolis (Live 2013)
Hendrik
Meurkens - 2013 Interview
Artist
Web Pages
http://hendrikmeurkens.com
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