Hendrik Meurkens: New York Nights

For the most part up-tempo, bebop-derived, mainstream blowing, New York Nights moves the listener to tapping and nodding. It's that kind of jazz. Eric Alexander sits in on four tracks and adds a powerful sense of the tradition. He and Meurkens like to work with octaves and punctuate their phrases with bits of traded 'conversation.' The recorded sound and balance work out quite well, and Meurkens is at his best on this album. Surrounded by an outstanding rhythm section, the leader seems to feed off their enthusiasm. 'Scrapple from the Apple' brings four particularly impressive sets of chops to the platform. Performed at a blazing tempo, the Charlie Parker nod summarizes this recommended album thoughtfully and reminds us that virtuoso jazz artists don't just appear out of nowhere. These guys have paid their dues, and Meurkens has earned the right to carry the jazz harmonica torch.

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