HENDRIK MEURKENS'
New York Samba Jazz Quartet
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - 8:00 PM

Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center
3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
(Map and Directions)

Hendrik Meurkens, a virtuoso on both the chromatic harmonica and the 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. His profound involvement in both jazz and Brazilian music resulted in a very personal and instantly recognizable version of samba jazz. This music, a cross-cultural amalgam guaranteed to touch the heart, features his harmonica and vibes along with piano, bass and drums, playing his stirring originals and arrangements.

A two-mallet player in the tradition of Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson, 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 instrument. His other life-changing experience was his introduction to samba and bossa nova. He was so moved by Brazilian music that after perfecting his talents at Berklee College of Music in Boston as a vibraphone major, he moved to Rio de Janeiro in the early 1980s to immerse himself in the music and culture of Brazil. Hendrik Meurkens’ profound involvement in both jazz and Brazilian music has resulted in an instantaneously recognizable version of samba jazz.

Born in Sao Paulo, Helio Alves has performed and recorded with Claudio Roditi, Paquito D'Rivera, Gato Barbieri, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, John Patitucci, Al Foster, Leny Andrade, Rosa Passos, The Caribbean Jazz Project, Joyce, Oscar Castro-Neves, Yo-Yo Ma and many others. In 1995 he joined Joe Henderson's Double Rainbow Quartet, playing the music of Jobim. He is regarded as the foremost pianist in Brazilian jazz music. His debut album Trios featuring John Patitucci and Al Foster, was released in 1999. His latest CD featuring Santi DiBriano and Matt Wilson is entitled Portrait in Black and White.

Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, bassist Gustavo Amarante began his musical studies at the Fundaçao de Educaçao Artîstica and Fundaçao Clovis Salgado, and he started to play professionally when he was 18 years old. Gustavo moved to the US in 1994, to attend the Berklee College of Music. His credits include performances with guitarists John Scofield, Aquiles Bez, and Luis Salinas, Brazilian singer Teresa Ins, pianist Alon Yavnai, vibraphonist Victor Mendoza, Brazilian singer Giana Viscardi, and, of course, pianist Helio Alves.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Adriano Santos is part of a new generation of Brazilian drummers. He began his drum studies at the age of twelve in his hometown. He moved to Boston to earn a Bachelor’s Degree at Berklee College of Music then received his Master’s Degree at City College of New York where he had the chance to study ensemble jazz legend Ron Carter. He has performed with top international artists such as Astrud Gilberto, Leny Andrade, Luciana Souza, Romero Lubambo, Nelson Faria, Eumir Deodato, John Pizzarelli, Hendrik Meurkens, and even the Boston Pops, to name a few. Adriano has produced publications in specialized drum magazines and has released a new book called Afro-Caribbean & Brazilian Rhythms for Drum set.