Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Hendrik Meurkens: Cobb's Pocket

Hendrik Meurkens: Cobb's Pocket

By Nicholas F. Mondello
October 24, 2019
View read count

It may be posited that what

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong was to the trumpet,

Toots Thielemans

harmonica
1922 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Toots Thielemans was to the mouthorgan. With Thielemans now blowing in the Upper Room, the field is open to aspiring and worthy replacements.

" data-original-title="" title="">Hendrik Meurkens fits that bill appropriately and is a leading contender, for sure. Like his aforementioned hero, Meurkens is not only a superior harmonica player, he is, like Thielemans, a multi-instrument-playing musician.

Cobb's Pocket, a very fine effort, has Meurkens fronting a terrific rhythm section consisting of B-3 organ, guitar and drums. Not a lengthy album -there are only eight tracks. The session offers terrific ensemble playing and great jazz improv across a variety of grooves. "Driftin'" is a

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock-composed head-tilting ear-wormer that has Meurkens and Bernstein's guitar working its way over a hip, with a struttin' head and LeDonne chiming in before Meurkens, Bernstein and LeDonne deliver pocketed solos. The pairing of harmonica and guitar on melodies is an excellent touch that adds a robust dimension. The title cut, a Meurkens composition, is a respectful and furiously-paced tip of the hat to legendary drummer

Jimmy Cobb

drums
1929 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Cobb. It is a burner with leader and cadre delivering smoking solos.

Maestro Meurkens is a technical wizard. He holds little back and swings heavily throughout the date. His chops have chops. His improvisations are swinging, extended lines that resemble of those of a saxophonist or pianist. Remember, Meurkens is also an ace vibraphonist. He is (and all are) soulful on Slide Hampton's "Frame for the Blues" and he demonstrates great dynamic taste on "Polkadots and Moonbeams." Bernstein offers great swing and a tasty solo on the leader's "Slidin' and

Henry Mancini

composer / conductor
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Mancini's bossa, "Slow Hot Wind." LeDonne, as underrated as he is talented, is a swinger in the finest B-3 tradition. Cobb, a near-nonegenarian at the time of the session, is tasty and driven throughout and offers a fine solo on "Unit Seven."

Cobb's Pocket is shorter in length, but extensive in its delivery of an A-1 entertaining session. This is a pocket to be picked. And yes, The Baron would be proud.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Driftin��; Cobb��s Pocket; Frame for the Blues; Slidin��; Slow Hot Wind; Unit Seven; Polka Dots And Moonbeams; A Slow One.

Personnel

Hendrik Meurkens

harmonica

Hendrik Meurkens: harmonica; Peter Bernstein: guitar; Mike LeDonne: B-3 organ; Jimmy Cobb: drums.

Album information

Title: Cobb's Pocket | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: In And Out Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Hiding Out
< Previous

Hiding Out
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.