By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Harmonicus Rex
Once
upon a time, not all that long ago, most kids played — or tried to play — a
harmonica. Even for a neophyte, it was possible to make music with relative
ease. And even at its worst, the resulting sound was reasonably pleasant. All
in all, the harmonica was an inexpensive way to develop an interest in music,
and it often led to more intricate instruments.
For
Hendrik Meurkens, though, it was the instrument.
Meurkens’
first musical instrument was the
vibraphone ... until he heard Toots Thielemans (one of the first, and most
famous, musicians to introduce harmonica to the jazz
world). At age 19, Meurkens was hooked.
The
harmonica is a free reed instrument that produces sound by using the mouth —
lips and tongue — to direct air into or out of a series of holes located in a
mouthpiece. Each hole contains one of more reeds, which produce a chord or
specific tone. Because of a harmonica’s relatively small size, it’s limited in
range and volume; it’s also hard to play single-note phrases.
This
album contains a mix of songs: some from the Great American Songbook (“Falling
in Love with Love,” “What’s New”); some from well-known jazz artists (Dave
Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way,” Milt Jackson’s “SKJ”); and several originals by Meurkens. The
supporting combo includes Dado Moroni on piano, Marco Panascia on bass, Jimmy
Cobb on drums, Joe Magnarelli on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Anders Bostrom on
alto flute. They make a swinging group with equally great solo work.
Meurkens more that holds
his own; his solo work is excellent and moving, particularly when you consider
the limitations of his “horn.” Move over, Toots; you’ve got company!
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