[Harp-L] Hendrik Meurkens

["Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just heard of this guy. What does anyone here know of him? Let me know.

-Glenn Weiser
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/harppage.htm

From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES
Press Contact: JIM EIGO, jazzpromo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
New Website, CD and Organ Quartet for Jazz Harmonica Virtuoso Hendrik
Meurkens
Considered to be the most important Jazz harmonica player since Toots
Thielemans, Hendrik Meurkens has relaunched his website
(http://www.hendrikmeurkens.com), produced a new CD, AMAZON RIVER, and
debuts his new Organ Group this Friday and Saturday, February 11th and 12th
at Cecil¹s Jazz Club and Restaurant, 364 Valley Road, West Orange, New
Jersey.  (Sets at 9pm, 11pm and 1am with a $10 cover.)
Meurkens, who has recently been touring with Jimmy Cobb, Herb Ellis, Mundell
Lowe and his own Jobim Project, first received US recognition with a series
of recordings for Concord Jazz. His new website features video performances
and interviews as well as detailed information and soundclips for his
fifteen CDs.
This spring, Blue Toucan Music will release Meurkens' AMAZON RIVER, a
mesmerizing journey through Brazilian Music featuring special guests Dori
Caymmi, Oscar Castro-Neves and Paquito D¹Rivera. The album covers a variety
of Brazilian styles from Chorinho to Bossa Nova to Sambajazz and reaffirms
Meurkens¹ importance as a harmonica player as well as providing an
extraordinary showcase for his composing talents.
Always both active in Brazilian music as well as straight ahead Jazz,
Hendrik Meurkens premieres his new Organ Group this coming weekend at
Cecil¹s, which is quickly becoming one of New Jersey¹s most popular Jazz
clubs.  In addition to Meurkens on harmonica and vibes, the Quartet includes
Mike Ledonne on organ, Peter Bernstein on guitar and Willie Jones on drums.
This unique instrumentation, an Organ Trio with a featured harmonica
virtuoso, is the first time the combination has been used in Jazz.
For Cecil's Jazz Club & Restaurant reservations and information, please call
(973) 736-4800 or visit www.cecilsjazzclub.com
"Hendrik Meurkens, who is quite an accomplished vibraphonist, plays his main
instrument, the chromatic harmonica, and shows the supple melodious grace
and underlying improvisational moxie that makes him one of the precious few
musicians to extend the Toots Thielemans tradition of chromatic harp ­
virtuosity in check with taste." ­ Jazz Times