MANHATTAN SAMBA
Hendrik Meurkens, chromatic harmonica
Height Advantage, Oct. 2020
This is a delightful presentation of Brazilian style samba music featuring chromatic harmonica virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens. Meurkens started as a vibraphone player but heard Toots Thielemans as a teen-ager and then concentrated on chromatic harmonica. Originally from Germany and having spent time in Brazil, his longtime home is in the New York City area.
This CD was recorded, in part, when Meurkens and group were touring in Germany and then completed on their return to New York. Meurkens is accompanied by his regular team, pianist Helio Alvez, bassists
Gustavo Amarante or Fernando Huergo, and master Latin drummer Portinho.
Tunes are typical Brazilian style samba composed Jobim, other Brazilian composers or Meurkens himself.
Pensacola fans will likely remember when Meurkens performed with Concord All-Stars at our 1997 Pensacola JazzFest. This CD will be available for check-out in Jazz Room at downtown West Florida Public Library.
The CD is available from usual sources or streaming services or from Meurkens. Contact: [email protected]