“For the vocalist Kendra Shank, a song is an orb of malleable clay to be molded according to mood and inspiration. Imaginative and daring." -Steve Futterman, THE NEW YORKER
“A wide open, mind-bending celebration of the human spirit...strong and evocative.” -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 held 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. at clubs, concert halls, and festivals. Shank has also performed and/or recorded with Frank Kimbrough, Dean Johnson, Fred Hersch, Larry Willis, Bruce Barth, Joe Locke, Jay Clayton, Billy Drewes, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Peter Leitch, John Stowell, Ben Monder, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many more.
PETE McCANN: 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. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and has taught at New York University, The New School, City College of New York and the Maine Jazz Camp.
DEAN JOHNSON: In the last few years Dean has performed and recorded with numerous groups including the Paul Jost Quartet, Roseanna Vitro, Bill Mays, Kendra Shank, Hayes Greenfield, and in special concerts with jazz artists Fred Hersch, Jane Ira Bloom and Art Lande. As bassist for vocalist Roseanna Vitro, Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador in the Balkans, Kazahkstan and Kyrgystan, as well as a live recording at the Kennedy Center featuring pianist Kenny Werner, and a recording project celebrating the music of Randy Newman featuring Mark Soskin that was nominated for a Grammy. His 10-year association with Gerry Mulligan encompassed a variety of musical settings including the Quartet, Nonet, Big Band, and with symphony orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra -- performing all over the world as well as on numerous recordings. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings and his debut recording as a leader titled “Triology,” featuring four different trios, was released in 2016. He has freelanced with a variety of artists including Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Phil Woods, Grover Washington, Dave Grusin, Lew Tabackin, Wynton Marsalis, Steve Kuhn, Dave Douglas, Paul McCandless, Nguyen Le, Art Lande, Art Farmer, Nick Brignola, Bill Frisell, Mike Metheny, John McNeil, and vocalists Sheila Jordan, Jackie and Roy, Mark Murphy, Carol Sloane and Helen Merrill.
Kendra Shank - voice
Pete McCann - guitar
Dean Johnson - bass
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