“Living Here” is the new album by Hermine Deurloo, chromatic harmonica player and teacher at the Rotterdam Conservatory. Her sidekick on “Living Here” is composer/pianist Rembrandt Frerichs, who is recognized by the international press as an adventurer on the piano. He’s played in the legendary Jazzclub Birdland in New York and his music has taken him to many festivals and clubs around the world. Hermine and Rembrandt have been working together since 2013. On “Living Here” they are accompanied by J?rg Brinkmann on cello and Jim Black on drums. They bring a mixture of strong melodies and exciting improvisations. The album is recorded at Fattoria Musica studio in Osnabruck with engineer Chris Weeda. Hermine: “Chris has worked 10 years with Toots Thielemans and he knows all about the harmonica sounds. We are sort of neighbours in Amsterdam.” “Rembrandt’s songs are very melodic. His way of playing is transparent but also adventurous. This album has a lyrical character. To provide a counterweight to the melodic voices, I have also chosen cello instead of bass. J?rg Brinkmann is obviously a master. Jim Black is one of the best drummers in the New York scene and has a narrative way of playing. In the studio, we had an instant click with each other. On the album there is also an element of instant composing, some pieces developed from ideas and sketches that were created there. ” The album title ‘Living Here’ is inspired by city life in Amsterdam, where Hermine was born and raised. “The vibrancy, diversity and dynamics of the city are a constant inspiration. The title also symbolizes living and making music in the here and now, improvising with the conditions and opportunities out there.”
