"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

"A wide open, mind-bending celebration of the human spirit." -Tom Henry, THE BLADE

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

PETE McCANN BIO:

An Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, jazz guitarist Pete McCann has been an integral part of the New York City jazz scene for over 25 years. He has just released "Pay For It On The Other Side", his sixth recording as a leader. A sought-after sideman from duos to big bands, with a unique and wide-ranging set of musical skills, McCann has played guitar on over 100 CDs. Pete has performed in every type of venue from jazz clubs to festivals, schools to concert halls, including Carnegie Hall. He has traveled to 18 countries and has played in almost every state in the USA. McCann has performed and/or recorded with Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Patti Austin, Brian Blade, Bobby Previte, Grace Kelly, the Mahavishnu Project and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He currently works in groups lead by Melissa Stylianou, Jocelyn Medina, Joe Fiedler, Spin Cycle, Ben Kono, Dan Willis, Pete Mills, Chris Tarry, the Breithaupt Brothers and orchestras led by Migiwa Miyajima and Christopher Zuar. As a commercial recording artist, he has worked on projects for CNN, BBC, Sesame Street and IBM. "McCann has such command of his instrument that he can go deep in any setting..." -DOWNBEAT (4.5 Stars)  petemccann.com