Left to Right:

Hendrik Meurkens, Harmonica, Vibes

Misha Tsiganov, Piano

Gustavo Amarante, Bass

Adriano Santos, Drums

From tranquil Bossa Nova treatments to burning New York Samba Jazz versions by the way of inspired Chorinhos and in-the-pocket Sambafunk, The Hendrik Meurkens Samba Jazz Quartet explores the wide terrain of Brazilian Jazz. The unique sound of the band is defined by Hendrik Meurkens' trademark sound of Jazz harmonica and vibes plus the immensely swinging rhythm section of Misha Tsiganov, Gustavo Amarante and Adriano Santos.

The group explores the Great Brazilian Songbook from a Jazz point of view and features compositions by Hendrik Meurkens, many of which are documented on his numerous CDs. The band has recorded 12 CDs, five of them for the prestigious Concord Label. Hendrik’s latest release, SAMBA TO GO!, is the culmination of his lifelong love of Brazilian music.

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. Hendrik Meurkens’ 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.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Misha Tsiganov began to play the piano at the age of six and graduated from Mussorgsky College of Music. In 1990 Misha received the prize-winner-diploma of the All-Russia Jazz Competition. He moved to the USA in 1991, to study at the Berklee College of Music. Misha is the featured pianist on the Bill Cosby television cartoon ‘Little Bill’, on which Misha worked 1999-2002. Misha has performed and recorded with such musicians as Clark Terry, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Chambers, Gary Bartz, Dave Valentin, Chico Freeman, Claudio Roditi, Jon Faddis, Richie Cole, Bobby Watson, Victor Lewis, Joe Locke, Johnny Colon, Papo Pepin, Ray Vega, Bobby Purcelli, Antonio Sanchez, Graig Handy, John Benitez, Donny McCaslin, Bobby Sanabria, Gene Jackson and others.

Born in 1973 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 guitarist Aquiles Bez, Argentinean guitarist Luis Salinas, singer Simn D’az, drummer Bob, tango singer Katie Viqueira, Brazilian singer Teresa Ins, pianist Alon Yavnai, vibraphonist Victor Mendoza, Brazilian singer Giana Viscardi, pianist Alain Mallet, saxophonist Carlos Malta, and pianist Helio Alves.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brasil, in 1966, Adriano Santos is part of a new generation of Brazilian drummers. He begun his drum studies at the age of twelve at Zimbo Trio Music School in his hometown. In 1988 he moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music where he got his B.A. in Film Scoring. Moving to New York in 1995, Adriano started his Masters Degree at City College of New York where he had the chance to enjoy ensemble lessons with great jazz legend Ron Carter. As a professional he has performed with top international artists such as Astrud Gilberto, Gal Costa, Leny Andrade, Luciana Souza, Romero Lubambo, Nelson Faria, Leo Gandelman, Paulo Moura, Eumir Deodato, John Pizzarelli, Cliff Korman, Santi Dibriano, Hendrik Meurkens, Dave Pietro, Vana Gierig, Paul Winter and the Boston Pops, to name a few. He has also recorded "Pretty World", a project produced and arranged by the great Eumir Deodato with Japanese sensation Ono Lisa. Adriano has produced publications in specialized drum magazines and has released a new book through Drummers Collective NYC (where he is part of the faculty) called, "Afro-Caribbean & Brazilian Rhythms for Drum set".

For more information:
www.hendrikmeurkens.com
Phone (646) 379-6712      
Email:  info@hendrikmeurkens.com