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KENDRA SHANK TRIO WITH GARY VERSACE & DEAN JOHNSON
March 11, 2021
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"Kendra Shank sounds like sunlight shining through a stained-glass window, her crystalline tone illuminating each song. Working her voice like a horn, she phrases inventively, whether crisp and sizzling or sensuously smoky. She's definitely an original." -Patricia Myers, JAZZ TIMES
"Imaginative and daring." -Steve Futterman, THE NEW YORKER
KENDRA SHANK's seven CDs have won numerous “Best of the Year” citations, a New York Times Critics’ Choice, DownBeat poll recognition, and accolades for her “delectable voice” (TIME magazine) and “breathtakingly original concept” (Boston Globe). Her career began as a folk singer-guitarist busking in Paris. When her passion turned to jazz, she studied with vocalist Jay Clayton while honing her craft in Seattle and Paris jazz clubs. Shank soon caught the attention of three other mentors: Bob Dorough who took her on tour in 1991; Shirley Horn who co-produced Shank’s debut CD and showcased her at New York’s Village Vanguard in 1992; and Abbey Lincoln who endorsed her as “an original; a singer with a sound” and hired her as guest guitarist on Lincoln’s "Over The Years" CD and live at the Blue Note. Shank’s ground-breaking 2007 release “A Spirit Free: Abbey Lincoln Songbook” reimagines songs composed by Lincoln. Her most recent recording “Half Moon” is a live concert with pianist Geoffrey Keezer. Since moving to New York in 1997 Shank has become a mainstay on the city’s jazz scene, headlining at the Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Standard, Iridium and holding a 19-year residency at the historic 55 Bar. She’s appeared on NPR's "JazzSet" and Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz" and has toured in Europe, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Canada and the U.S. performing in clubs, concert halls, and festivals. In addition to a 21-year collaboration with pianist Frank Kimbrough and bassist Dean Johnson, Shank has performed and/or recorded with Fred Hersch, Larry Willis, Bruce Barth, Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Locke, Abbey Lincoln, Bob Dorough, Jay Clayton, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Peter Leitch, John Stowell, Ben Monder, Pete McCann, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many others. kendrashank.com
"Imaginative and daring." -Steve Futterman, THE NEW YORKER
KENDRA SHANK's seven CDs have won numerous “Best of the Year” citations, a New York Times Critics’ Choice, DownBeat poll recognition, and accolades for her “delectable voice” (TIME magazine) and “breathtakingly original concept” (Boston Globe). Her career began as a folk singer-guitarist busking in Paris. When her passion turned to jazz, she studied with vocalist Jay Clayton while honing her craft in Seattle and Paris jazz clubs. Shank soon caught the attention of three other mentors: Bob Dorough who took her on tour in 1991; Shirley Horn who co-produced Shank’s debut CD and showcased her at New York’s Village Vanguard in 1992; and Abbey Lincoln who endorsed her as “an original; a singer with a sound” and hired her as guest guitarist on Lincoln’s "Over The Years" CD and live at the Blue Note. Shank’s ground-breaking 2007 release “A Spirit Free: Abbey Lincoln Songbook” reimagines songs composed by Lincoln. Her most recent recording “Half Moon” is a live concert with pianist Geoffrey Keezer. Since moving to New York in 1997 Shank has become a mainstay on the city’s jazz scene, headlining at the Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Standard, Iridium and holding a 19-year residency at the historic 55 Bar. She’s appeared on NPR's "JazzSet" and Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz" and has toured in Europe, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Canada and the U.S. performing in clubs, concert halls, and festivals. In addition to a 21-year collaboration with pianist Frank Kimbrough and bassist Dean Johnson, Shank has performed and/or recorded with Fred Hersch, Larry Willis, Bruce Barth, Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Locke, Abbey Lincoln, Bob Dorough, Jay Clayton, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Peter Leitch, John Stowell, Ben Monder, Pete McCann, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many others. kendrashank.com