A Duo: Harmonica and Piano - Hendrik Meurkens and Misha Tsiganov producing beautiful melodies on "Junity"

Hendrik Meurkens, the celebrate harmonica master, explains on "Junity": It's a play on word between the english word 'unity', wich means the state of being united, and the brazilian word 'junto', wich means together".

The title is appropiate because, Meurkens, a musician known for his superb artistry and his quick wit, and Misha Tsiganov, a russian pianist of remarkable proficiency, have been collaborating for nearly a decade. These thirteen tracks document the magic that transpires when teo become one.

Virtuoso instrumentalist and composer Hendrik Meurkens began his career in Germany playing vibes. At 19, he heard Toots Thielemans play harmonica, which totally changed his musical life. 

His career has taken him from Brazil to Germany, then throughout the European continent where he became a pivotal force on the studio and jazz scene, performing, composing, recording, and touring extensively with his own ensembles as well as with visiting legends Harry Sweets Edison and Buddy Tate.

In 1989, he returned to Brazil to record his first album as a leader, "Samba Importado". In 1992, a trip to California led to his signing with the Concord label, and the resulting six recordings established him as the first major new voice on the harmonica since Toots Thielemans. 

He moved to New York in 1992 where he has lived ever since. His 24 CDs have received rave reviews and strong airplay, and established his immediately recognizable style of Brazilian Jazz. In 2014 he won the Brazilian International Press Award. 

Critics and the jazz listening public alike have recognized Meurkens' incredible talent, listing him repeatedly in the Downbeat and Jazziz Polls. 

Meurkens has worked with Ray Brown, Paquito D'Rivera, Oscar Castro-Neves, Herb Ellis, Herbie Mann, James Moody, Charlie Byrd, Jimmy Cobb, Ivan Lins, Monty Alexander, Manfredo Fest, Herb Ellis, Dori Caymmi, Toninho Horta, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Buddy Tate, Joyce, Astrud Gilberto, Roberto Menescal, Antonio Adolfo, Emilio Santiago, and many others.

Misha Tsiganov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, into a family of artists, with his father a sculptor and his mother, a music teacher. He began to play piano at the age of six and graduated from Mussorgsky College of Music. Over the years Misha has studied piano with Valentina Nikiforova, Basya Kapustianskaya, Alexei Istrashkin, Evgeni Gashkov, Ella Volpe, Eugene Maslov. 

In 1989 Misha was invited by major russian record label Melodiya and recorded an album “To My Friends”. 
In 1990 Misha received prize-winner-diploma of the All-Russia Jazz Competition. 
In 1991 he was invited to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston by legendary vibraphonist Gary Burton and two years later he moved to New York. 
Misha worked and recorded with following projects: 
1998 - 2008 - with Norman Hedman's Tropique, recorded an album “Taken By 
Surprise” 2000 on Palmetto records and "Garden Of Forbidden Fruit" 2003 on PowerLight Media, 
2002 - present - with Johnny Colon, recorded an album "Keeping It Real" 2007, 
2002 - present - with Willie Martinez, recorded an album "I Remember You" 2002, "Family" 2005 and "After Winter, Spring" 2008, 
2003, 2004 - with Chico Freeman, recorded an album “Out Of Many Comes The 
One” 2003 on Arabesque records, 
2004 - Misha recorded an album “NGFOOT” (Nine Guys From Out Of Town), produced and directed by Stu Gardner, feat. Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker and Dave Valentin, 
2004 - 2008 - with Joe Chambers, recorded an album "The Outlaw" 2005 on Savant records. In 2005 Misha performed 7 days in Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece with Joe Chambers Quartet featuring Gary Bartz. 
2007 - present - with Papo Pepin, 
2007 - present - with Jed Levy, recorded an album "Travelogue" 2011, 
2007 - present - with Hendrik Meurkens, recorded an album "Samba To Go" 2009 on Zoho records, "A Night In Jakarta" 2010 on Jawo Records, "Live at Bird's Eye" 2011 on Zoho records and Hendrik Meurkens - Gabriel Espinosa "Celebrando" 2012 on Zoho records. 

Meurkens & Tsiganov have combined their talents to produce beautiful melodies. They also participate in some rows: Oleg Osenkov (bass) and Willard Dyson (drums).

Two months before going to the recording studios Meurkens and Tsiganova presented in the exclusive site of Jazz Blue Note, this was the March 10, 2013, and here in this video he is captured live execution live 'Luiza' Original of Tom Jobim composition that is part of the CD "Junity".
Enjoy,


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