The chromatic harmonica of
Hendrik Meurkens is profound, lyrical, fluid, and swinging on his second release for the Netherlands-based A-Records label.
New York Nights features a half dozen standards and four delightful originals performed by the harmonica master with
Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Italian pianist
Dado Moroni, bassist Chris Berger, and drummer
Jimmy Cobb and together they weave a great tapestry of bebop, swing, and heart-wrenching ballads.
Meurkens is an excellent composer as evidenced by the title track, "New York Nights," a pensive, nocturnal ballad. He plays a beautiful melody that is alternated by
Eric Alexander's rendition of the bridge with excellent solos from them both. This combination of instruments -- harmonica and saxophone -- is very nice to hear on this wonderful collection of great songs.
Alexander plays some great long lines and short phrases on "It Could Happen to You" with great improvisations by pianist
Dado Moroni. The only drawback to this CD is that it does not include any compositions that feature
Meurkens playing vibes as on "Mundell's Moods" or the sweet sambas he played on
Samba Importado and
In a Sentimental Mood. However, his covers of the priceless "You Stepped out of a Dream," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," and
Charlie Parker's blazing "Scrapple From the Apple" make up for that and add an extra layer of excitement and variety to this fantastic hour of great jazz. ~ Paula Edelstein