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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.

Hendrik Meurkens: The Jazz Meurkengers

Read "The Jazz Meurkengers" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
June 6, 2024

When one thinks of the jazz harmonica, two names immediately come to mind, the late great Toots Thielemans and the incomparable Hendrik Meurkens whose new project The Jazz Meurkengers fully captures Meurkens' desire to produce a new and exciting swinging jazz album. While Meurkens learned to play the vibraphone first at the age of sixteen growing up in Germany and still does quite well, it is the harmonica that has become his preferred instrument of choice and the one he ...

Album Review

Hendrik Meurkens: The Jazz Meurkengers

Read "The Jazz Meurkengers" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
May 16, 2024

Harmonica virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens brought together an outstanding group of musicians in The Jazz Meurkengers, which is a swinging tribute to the allure of hard-bop jazz. Supported by the resourceful and highly adaptable rhythm section of pianist Steve Ash, bassist Chris Berger and drummer Andy Watson, the band was augmented by the impeccable guitarist Ed Cherry on four tracks and bebop tenor saxophonist Nick Hampton on four different tracks giving the ensemble the energy, creativity, and reverence of the jazz ...

Album Review

Judy Whitmore: Come Fly with Me

Read "Come Fly with Me" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
February 6, 2024

When the multi-talented Judy Whitmore sings “Come Fly with Me," it is an invitation that is almost impossible to resist, especially as the lovely and charming vocalist is also a pilot who is licensed to fly anything from jets to seaplanes to hot air balloons. On her latest album, backed by a big band and twenty-six member string section with arrangements by Hollywood top gun Chris Walden, Whitmore beckons listeners to fly with her to romantic places around the world ...

Album Review

Russ Spiegel: Caribbean Blue

Read "Caribbean Blue" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
December 19, 2023

Pleasant music with ample color and variety--that's an apt description of Caribbean Blue, the latest albulm from California-bred, Florida-based guitarist Russ Spiegel, who has surrounded himself with world-class musicians and given them rein to canvass ten of his generally engaging compositions and bring them admirably to life. While everything on offer is respectable, it is the album's midsection--tracks 3-8--that rise above the others and lend the session much of its vitality and charm. After harmonica virtuoso Hendrik ...

Album Review

Hendrik Meurkens and the WDR Big Band: Samba Jazz Odyssey

Read "Samba Jazz Odyssey" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 16, 2022

One could probably count the number of big-band albums featuring a harmonica player on the fingers of one hand and leave some unused. Only one other springs to mind here, and it was released so many years ago that the names have long since been forgotten. And so it is indeed a genuine pleasure to hear the virtuosic Hendrik Meurkens performing with one of the world's foremost large ensembles, Cologne, Germany's exemplary WDR Big Band. More than ...

Album Review

Hendrik Meurkens: Samba Jazz Odyssey

Read "Samba Jazz Odyssey" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
June 18, 2022

One of the leading proponents of bossa nova and samba in the jazz world, New York-based chromatic harmonica virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens continues his love affair with Brazilian music with the big band sound of Samba Jazz Odyssey, his seventh release on the ZOHO record label. This time Meurkens is joined by the world-renown WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany where the maestro and ensemble record nine tracks and seven of his most popular compositions arranged by Grammy-nominated conductor Michael Phillip ...

Album Review

Jorge Garcia: Dedicated to You

Read "Dedicated to You" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
February 26, 2022

Gigi Gryce's turbo-charged “Minority," which opens Cuban-born guitarist Jorge Garcia's Dedicated to You, serves as a reminder of how much talent the world lost when alto saxophonist Richie Cole died in May 2020. And if that weren't enough to persuade any doubters, the vibrant “This One's for Richie" (based, appropriately, on the standard “There Will Never Be Another You") readily affirms that opinion. While, alas, those are the only tracks on which Cole performs, they alone make the album well ...

Recording

Guitarist Russ Spiegel Releases 'Caribbean Blue' with Guests Brian Lynch, Tim Armacost, Hendrik Meurkens and more on RuzzTone Music

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
October 24, 2023

A world-class guitarist by anyone’s definition, California-born Russ Spiegel is also a composer, arranger, big band leader, mixing engineer, educator and much more, including a world traveler. Though not entirely, much of the music in Caribbean Blue is a tip of the hat to some of his destinations and the cultures he’s experienced, and homage to many of the genres of music he loves, and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder of just how small the world really is. Throughout his ...
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Event

Charles Carlini Presents Unveils Exciting Fall Jazz Series Lineup, Including 'Só Brasil,' At Zinc In New York City

Source: Decibel
August 2, 2023

Charles Carlini, the esteemed New York-based concert promoter behind Charles Carlini Presents, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated fall lineup for his successful jazz series at the iconic Zinc jazz club. This season's offerings will not only feature captivating Piano Jazz and Guitar Masters evenings but also introduce the enthralling “Só Brasil” Brazilian Jazz series. Taking place on select Mondays and Tuesdays, the Jazz series at Zinc will once again present world-class musicians, promising an unforgettable musical journey for ...
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Event

Jazz Comes To Easton’s Historic Waterfowl Building

Source: Jazz Alive
June 1, 2021

Three jazz concerts in a club-like setting, featuring respected performers from the region and jny: New York City’s jazz scene, will fill the historic Waterfowl Building in Easton, Maryland with music this summer. The series marks the debut of live performances presented by Jazz Alive, a charitable foundation based in Talbot County, Maryland, at the historic Waterfowl Building’s Festival Hall. Located at 40 South Harrison Street, Easton, Maryland, the popular venue serves as the headquarters for the Waterfowl Festival held ...
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Recording

Masha Campagne - Like Water, Like Air - Featuring: Guinga, Hendrik Meurkens, Weber Iago - Set To Release November 6, 2012

Source: Kari-On Productions
October 11, 2012

Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer Moscow-born vocalist Masha Campagne spent her formative years studying cello and piano at the famed Gnessin State Musical College. Her grandfather, Matthew Fayans, an accomplished multi-reed player introduced her to jazz and bossa nova music. Whether attending his shows with the 25-piece Metropole Big Band Orchestra or delving into his extensive LP collection Campagne had a host of early influences, among them Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Tom Jobim. “My grandfather was a true jazz ...
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Event

Jazz Festival Featuring Jazz Greats, Bill Crow, Hendrik Meurkens and Chico Mendoza

Source: All About Jazz
June 30, 2008

Summer Jazz Festival at Mills Pond House The Smithtown Township Arts Council presents its third annual Summer Jazz Festival Saturday, July 12 from 5-10 pm. The concert will take place in the festival tent on the grounds of the Mills Pond House. Admission $15 ($10 by Advance Reservation) and $5 for students with ID. For more information, call 631-862-6575, or visit our Web site. Legendary Bill Crow Bill Crow has gained an international reputation as one of the finest double ...
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Recording

Album of the Week - Sambatropolis, Hendrik Meurkens

Source: All About Jazz
February 10, 2008

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Performance / Tour

Hendrik Meurkens CD Release "Sambatropolis" Wed, Jan. 30th at Kitano2 Sets - 8:00PM & 10:00 PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
January 17, 2008

HENDRIK MEURKENS CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF HIS NEW ZOHO CD SAMBATROPOLIS WED, JAN. 30TH At Kitano 66 Park Avenue (at 38th St.) New York City 212-885-7119 NO COVER $$15 MIN./SET 2 SETS - 8:00PM & 10:00PM In this vibrant collection, Montclairian Hendrik Meurkens again engrossingly blends a vital jazz core - rooted in the melodic grace of Charlie Parker - with an affinity and affection for beats Brazilian. A one-time ...
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138

Performance / Tour

Hendrik Meurkens CD Release "Sambatropolis" Wed, Jan. 30th at Kitano2 Sets - 8:00PM & 10:00 PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
December 10, 2007

HENDRIK MEURKENS CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF HIS NEW ZOHO CD “SAMBATROPOLIS" WED, JAN. 30TH At Kitano 66 Park Avenue (at 38th St.) New York, NY 212-885-7119 NO COVER $$15 MIN./SET 2 SETS - 8:00PM & 10:00PM Rodrigo Ursaia: tenor sax (tracks 1, 2, 4 - 6, 9), flute (tracks 3 & 7)Jed Levy: tenor sax (tracks 1, 5, 8, 10, 11) , flute (track 2) Helio ...
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111

Performance / Tour

Hendrik Meurkens "New York Samba Jazz Quintet" Tue-Wed, Feb. 27th & 28th at the Zinc Bar 9:00PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
February 27, 2007

Hendrik Meurkens “NEW YORK SAMBA JAZZ QUINTET" Tue-Wed, Feb. 27th & 28th 9PM Zinc Bar, New York, NY 212.477.8337 http://www.zincbar.com/

Hendrik Meurkens - harmonica Rodrigo Ursaia - tenor, flute Helio Alves - piano Gustavo Amarante - bass Mauricio Zottarelli - drums ZOHO MUSIC has released vibraphonist/ harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens' new CD NEW YORK SAMBA JAZZ QUINTET. Recorded live at Cecil's Jazz Club, the ...
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Performance / Tour

Hendrik Meurkens Samba Jazz Quartet at J&r Music World + WBGO Live Broadcast Tuesday, February 20th at 12:30 PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
February 17, 2007

HENDRIK MEURKENS TO PERFORM SONGS FROM LATEST ZOHO MUSIC RELEASE NEW YORK SAMBA JAZZ QUINTET AND SIGN AUTOGRAPHS AT J&R MUSIC AND COMPUTER WORLD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 AT 12:30 PM Concert To Be Broadcast Live On WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM Listen on the Internet: http://wbgo.org Zoho Music recording artist Hendrik Meurkens will perform songs from his latest release, New York Samba Jazz Quintet, and sign autographs ...
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