Hendrik Meurkens is in the unenviable position of playing a miscellaneous jazz instrument already associated with a master. The instrument is the harmonica and the master is Toot Theilemans. The German Meurkens, like the Belgian Theilemans, doubles on a second instrument, in Meurkens' case, the vibraphone.
However, Meurkens lives in no one’s shadow, not even Theilemans'. His harmonica playing is highly ornamented and carefully sculpted. He accomplishes in the jazz arena what Little Walter Jacobs did in the blues elevating the harmonica to the status of a frontline horn.
Addressing his vibes performance, Meurkens shines, particularly on New York Samba Jazz Quintet's opener, “Vamos Nessa. His vibraphone is also beautifully ornamental on “Triste.”.
But it is his harmonica that is truly stunning. The listener can only marvel at Meurkens’ virtuosity demonstrated at the end of “Bolero Para Paquito,” and that is only one example. “Flor De Lis” provides a sumptuous ballad vehicle for Meurkens’ supernaturally fluid harmonica playing.
However, the disc is not all Meurkens. His pianist Helio Alves more than holds his own while steering the quintet. Tenor saxophonist Jed Levy is equally comfortable in Latin or blues idioms, blowing superb solos on “Vamos Nessa” and “A Ra.
” Meurkens’ rhythm section finishes out an exceptional band. New York Samba Jazz Quintet was recorded live before an audience at Cecil’s Jazz Club in East Orange, NJ. The crowd was enthusiastic and the band was hot.
While Meurkens is no newcomer, he certainly demands greater attention. Let us hope for many more recordings like this one.
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