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Artist
Hendrik Meurkens
12+ albums
jazzHendrik MeurkensSummer in San FranciscoMountain DriveSpring in Prague
about
Hendrik Meurkens, a virtuoso on both the chromatic harmonica and 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 1980s to totally immerse himself in the 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 1983, 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 es
