KENDRA SHANK infos concerts
KENDRA SHANK
2023
Kendra Shank Trio at Mezzrow NYC on Oct 22nd
Kendra Shank – voice Gary Versace – piano Dean Johnson – bass
Sunday, October 22nd
7:30 & 9 PM sets
Mezzrow: 163 W. 10th St (basement), NYC 10014
$35 reserved, $25 walk-in (1 drink minimum)
Tickets & Info:
https://www.smallslive.com/events/26590-kendra-shank-gary-versace-dean-johnson
Trains: 1,2 to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq / A,D,E,F to W 4 St-Wash Sq
Event is also Livestreamed
The performance will include compositions by Fred Hersch, Julian Priester, Ralph Towner, Abbey Lincoln, Billy Drewes (with Shank’s lyrics), Frank Kimbrough (with Shank’s lyrics), re-imagined standards, and Shank’s poetry with improvisations. Mezzrow’s intimate setting is perfect for Shank’s conversational interplay with her longtime stellar bandmates. EPK: https://kendrashank.com/press-kit.html
« Imaginative and daring. » – Steve Futterman, THE NEW YORKER
“A thespian’s appreciation of lyrics and a musician’s sensibility.” – George Kanzler, HOT HOUSE
« Shank intoxicates with a combination of power and perfume. » – Neil Tesser, CHICAGO READER
KENDRA SHANK has been a prominent figure on New York City’s jazz scene for over 25 years (Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Standard, Iridium) and has toured in Europe, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Canada and across the U.S. at festivals, clubs, and concert halls. Hailed as a « supremely skilled vocalist » (New York Times) with a « delectable voice » (Time) and « breathtakingly original concept » (Boston Globe), her seven CDs have won numerous “Best of the Year” citations and DownBeat poll recognition. Originally a folk singer-guitarist, Shank’s jazz journey began in studies with vocalist Jay Clayton. She quickly caught the attention of three other legendary 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. 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. She has been featured on NPR’s JazzSet and Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz and has performed and/or recorded with Frank Kimbrough, Fred Hersch, Larry Willis, Joe Locke, Jay Clayton, Ben Monder, John Stowell, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Billy Drewes, Dean Johnson, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many more. https://kendrashank.com/press-kit.html
GARY VERSACE: Since basing himself in NYC in 2002 (originally hailing from Cos Cob, CT) jazz pianist, organist and accordionist Gary Versace has become one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the international jazz scene, often featured in bands led by musicians such as John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Al Foster, Regina Carter, Ellery Eskelin, Ray Anderson, John Hollenbeck, Ralph Alessi, Kurt Elling, Anat Cohen, Maria Schneider, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Wilson, Brad Shepik, Ingrid Jensen and many others. Versace, along with bandmates vocalist Kate McGarry and guitarist Keith Ganz, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2019 for his work on The Subject Tonight is Love. He won the “Rising Star” category on the Hammond organ in DownBeat‘s Critics Poll in 2009 and 2010, and has placed in the primary Organ category in the readers and critics polls in DownBeat and JazzTimes consistently for the last 10 years. Versace won the Jazz Jounalists’ Association’s « Best Instrumentalist – Instruments Rare In Jazz (accordion) » award in 2018, and their “Organist of the Year” award in 2012. Gary has appeared twice as a guest on Marian McPartland’s acclaimed NPR show Piano Jazz, and McPartland has described him as “…endlessly inventive…[Versace] really has an extraordinary talent.” He has several CDs as a leader on the Criss Cross and SteepleChase labels, the most recent being a piano trio recording, All for Now, featuring bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Obed Calvaire, which received a 4 star review in DownBeat and was included in their list of the best recordings of 2020. He has appeared on dozens of recordings as a sideman on various labels over the years with nationally and internationally known jazz artists.
DEAN JOHNSON: In the last few years bassist Dean Johnson has performed with numerous groups including the New York Voices, Paul Jost Quartet, Fred Hersch, Jane Ira Bloom and Art Lande. He also performs regularly with pipa virtuoso Min Xioa-Fen and guitarist Steve Salerno in the Blue Pipa Trio, performing their eclectic combination of jazz, bluegrass and Chinese folk songs. Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador with vocalist Roseanna Vitro 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. He has an ongoing collaborative relationship with saxophonist Hayes Greenfield, guitarists Jay Azzolina & Bruce Arnold and performed over the last 20 years with vocalist Kendra Shank along with pianist Frank Kimbrough and drummer Tony Moreno. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings with a variety of artists and his debut recording as a leader titled Triology, featuring four different trios, was released in 2016. He has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Israel. Born in Seattle, Dean moved to New York in 1980 and 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, Ray Anderson, Walter Norris, Bill Mays, Vic Juris, Billy Harper, Art Farmer, Nick Brignola, Dave Kikoski, Bill Frisell, Mike Metheny, John McNeil, and vocalists Sheila Jordan, Jackie and Roy, Mark Murphy, Carol Sloane and Helen Merrill. Dean’s 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.
CONTACT:
Kendra Shank Music
EPK: https://kendrashank.com/press-kit.html
Website: http://kendrashank.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/kendrashank
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kendrashank
Facebook: https://facebook.com/kendrashank.music
Kendra Shank Trio at Mezzrow NYC on Feb 12th
Kendra Shank – voice Gary Versace – piano Dean Johnson – bass
Sunday, February 12th ~ 7:30 & 9 PM sets
Mezzrow: 163 W. 10th St (basement), NYC 10014
$35 reserved, $25 walk-in (1 drink minimum)
https://www.smallslive.com/events/calendar
Trains: 1,2 to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq / A,D,E,F to W 4 St-Wash Sq
Event is also Livestreamed (free)
This Feb 12 performance will include compositions by Julian Priester, Fred Hersch, Ralph Towner, Abbey Lincoln, Billy Drewes (with Shank’s lyrics), Frank Kimbrough, re-imagined standards, and Shank’s poetry with improvisations. Mezzrow’s intimate setting is perfect for Shank’s conversational interplay with her longtime stellar bandmates. EPK: https://tinyurl.com/3vnxkkh4
« Imaginative and daring. » – Steve Futterman, THE NEW YORKER
“A thespian’s appreciation of lyrics and a musician’s sensibility.” – George Kanzler, HOT HOUSE
« Shank intoxicates with a combination of power and perfume. » – Neil Tesser, CHICAGO READER
KENDRA SHANK has been a prominent figure on New York City’s jazz scene for over 25 years (Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Standard, Iridium) and has toured in Europe, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Canada and across the U.S. at festivals, clubs, and concert halls. Hailed as a « supremely skilled vocalist » (New York Times) with a « delectable voice » (Time) and « breathtakingly original concept » (Boston Globe), her seven CDs have won numerous “Best of the Year” citations and DownBeat poll recognition. Originally a folk singer-guitarist, Shank’s jazz journey began in studies with vocalist Jay Clayton. She quickly caught the attention of three other legendary 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. 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. She has been featured on NPR’s JazzSet and Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz and has performed and/or recorded with Frank Kimbrough, Fred Hersch, Larry Willis, Joe Locke, Jay Clayton, Ben Monder, John Stowell, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Billy Drewes, Dean Johnson, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many more. EPK: https://tinyurl.com/3vnxkkh4 Website: http://kendrashank.com
GARY VERSACE: Since basing himself in NYC in 2002 (originally hailing from Cos Cob, CT) jazz pianist, organist and accordionist Gary Versace has become one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the international jazz scene, often featured in bands led by musicians such as John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Al Foster, Regina Carter, Ellery Eskelin, Ray Anderson, John Hollenbeck, Ralph Alessi, Kurt Elling, Anat Cohen, Maria Schneider, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Wilson, Brad Shepik, Ingrid Jensen and many others. Versace, along with bandmates vocalist Kate McGarry and guitarist Keith Ganz, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2019 for his work on The Subject Tonight is Love. He won the “Rising Star” category on the Hammond organ in DownBeat‘s Critics Poll in 2009 and 2010, and has placed in the primary Organ category in the readers and critics polls in DownBeat and JazzTimes consistently for the last 10 years. Versace won the Jazz Jounalists’ Association’s « Best Instrumentalist – Instruments Rare In Jazz (accordion) » award in 2018, and their “Organist of the Year” award in 2012. Gary has appeared twice as a guest on Marian McPartland’s acclaimed NPR show Piano Jazz, and McPartland has described him as “…endlessly inventive…[Versace] really has an extraordinary talent.” He has several CDs as a leader on the Criss Cross and SteepleChase labels, the most recent being a piano trio recording, All for Now, featuring bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Obed Calvaire, which received a 4 star review in DownBeat and was included in their list of the best recordings of 2020. He has appeared on dozens of recordings as a sideman on various labels over the years with nationally and internationally known jazz artists.
DEAN JOHNSON: In the last few years bassist Dean Johnson has performed with numerous groups including the New York Voices, Paul Jost Quartet, Fred Hersch, Jane Ira Bloom and Art Lande. He also performs regularly with pipa virtuoso Min Xioa-Fen and guitarist Steve Salerno in the Blue Pipa Trio, performing their eclectic combination of jazz, bluegrass and Chinese folk songs. Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador with vocalist Roseanna Vitro 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. He has an ongoing collaborative relationship with saxophonist Hayes Greenfield, guitarists Jay Azzolina & Bruce Arnold and performed over the last 20 years with vocalist Kendra Shank along with pianist Frank Kimbrough and drummer Tony Moreno. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings with a variety of artists and his debut recording as a leader titled Triology, featuring four different trios, was released in 2016. He has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Israel. Born in Seattle, Dean moved to New York in 1980 and 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, Ray Anderson, Walter Norris, Bill Mays, Vic Juris, Billy Harper, Art Farmer, Nick Brignola, Dave Kikoski, Bill Frisell, Mike Metheny, John McNeil, and vocalists Sheila Jordan, Jackie and Roy, Mark Murphy, Carol Sloane and Helen Merrill. Dean’s 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.
CONTACT:
Kendra Shank Music
EPK: https://tinyurl.com/3vnxkkh4
Website: http://kendrashank.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/kendrashank
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kendrashank
Facebook: https://facebook.com/kendrashank.music
2022
Jazz Vocalist Kendra Shank
Saturday, October 8, at 7:30pm
Latchis Theatre, Brattleboro, VT
“Circle of Love” Benefit Concert for Groundworks Collaborative
Tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=larts
$20 gen / $100 VIP. 50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT
Hailed as a « supremely skilled vocalist » (New York Times) with a « delectable voice » (Time) and « breathtakingly original concept » (Boston Globe), Kendra Shank has headlined at festivals, concerts, and clubs around the world. She has been a champion of the songs of Abbey Lincoln, and the « Circle of Love » title of this Oct. 8 concert is taken from a song of Lincoln’s that Shank recorded on her 2006 CD A Spirit Free: Abbey Lincoln Songbook. « Circle of Love » also perfectly describes the spirit of this concert. A gathering of musicians who love playing with each other, performing at a venue they love, and giving back to the community by raising funds for Groundworks Collaborative, the Brattleboro-based nonprofit whose mission is to end hunger and homelessness for people in the region. Joining Kendra will be an ensemble led by guitarist Draa Hobbs, including Michael Zsoldos on tenor sax, Berklee School of Music faculty member Rich Greenblatt on vibes, Steve Bulmer on bass and Tim Gilmore on drums. The program will include songs by Abbey Lincoln, Fred Hersch, Norma Winstone, Cedar Walton, Ralph Towner, Julian Priester, Dietz & Schwartz, Hoagy Carmichael, and more. The beautiful art deco Latchis Theatre is located at 50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT. Tickets are $20 general, $100 for VIP, and are available at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=larts .
Kendra Shank has been a prominent figure on New York City’s jazz scene for over 25 years (Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Standard, Iridium) and has toured in Europe, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Canada and across the U.S. at festivals, clubs, and concert halls. Her seven CDs have won numerous “Best of the Year” citations and DownBeat poll recognition. Originally a folk singer-guitarist, Shank’s jazz journey began in studies with vocalist Jay Clayton. She quickly caught the attention of three other legendary 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 has been featured on NPR’s JazzSet and Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz and has performed and/or recorded with Frank Kimbrough, Fred Hersch, Geoffrey Keezer, Larry Willis, Joe Locke, Jay Clayton, Ben Monder, John Stowell, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Billy Drewes, Dean Johnson, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many more. “Working her voice like a horn, she phrases inventively, whether crisp and sizzling or sensuously smoky.” –Jazz Time
Website: http://kendrashank.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/kendrashank
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kendrashank
Facebook: https://facebook.com/kendrashank.music
Saturday, August 6 ~ Kendra Shank Quartet
MAUREEN’S JAZZ CELLAR – 8:00 PM
2 N. Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
Reservations: 845-535-3143. $25 cover (at the door).
Kendra Shank – voice; David Budway – piano; Dean Johnson – bass; Tom Rainey – drums
https://maureensjazzcellar.com
« Imaginative and daring. » – Steve Futterman, THE NEW YORKER
“A thespian’s appreciation of lyrics and a musician’s sensibility.” – George Kanzler, HOT HOUSE
« Shank intoxicates with a combination of power and perfume. » – Neil Tesser, CHICAGO READER
KENDRA SHANK‘s seven CDs have received 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 legendary 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. (Time quote by Terry Teachout; Boston Globe by Andrew Gilbert)
Website: http://kendrashank.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/kendrashank.music
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kendrashank
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« Imaginative and daring. » -Steve Futterman, The New Yorker
Kendra Shank Trio: A Birthday Celebration at Soapbox Gallery, Brooklyn
In-Person + Streaming
Kendra Shank – voice Pete McCann – guitar Dean Johnson – bass
Friday, April 22 ~ 8:00 PM (one set)
Soapbox Gallery: 636 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Tickets: <https://www.soapboxgallery.or
https://www.soapboxgallery.org
In-Person: $25 (mask required)
Livestream: pay-what-you-can (3-day access)
Trains: 2,3 to Bergen St / B,Q to 7 Av / C to Clinton-Washington Avs
D,N,R,4,5,LIRR to Atlantic Av-Barclays
<http://www.soapboxgallery.
<mailto:info@soapboxgallery.or
Kendra Shank Trio performs Friday, April 22 at the Soapbox Gallery, in
celebration of the vocalist’s birthday. In addition to the Livestream
option, this favorite Brooklyn jazz room welcomes audiences to attend
in-person, surrounded by the sculptures of gallery owner Jimmy Greenfield.
The intimate setting is perfect for Shank’s conversational interplay with
her longtime collaborators, the guitarist Pete McCann and the bassist Dean
Johnson. Steve Futterman wrote in THE NEW YORKER, « for the vocalist Kendra
Shank, a song is an orb of malleable clay to be molded according to mood and
inspiration. In less sure hands, that risk-taking could spell sonic
disaster, but Shank has the chops to uproot well-worn standards and offbeat
jazz originals and relocate them in fresh terrain. » The trio’s program will
include compositions by Julian Priester, Fred Hersch, Ralph Towner, Abbey
Lincoln, Billy Drewes (with Shank’s lyrics), Frank Kimbrough, re-imagined
standards, and Shank’s poetry with improvisations. Masks are required and
the venue is well ventilated. Videos: <http://www.youtube.com/kendra
youtube.com/kendrashank Website: <http://www.kendrashank.com/>
kendrashank.com
« Her phrasing and rhythmic sense are idiosyncratic and intriguing, her
endless textures and colors are revelatory, and she sings the hell out of a
lyric, making sure the words make sense musically and intellectually. »
-Rick Mason, City Pages
KENDRA SHANK’s seven CDs have received 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.
<http://www.kendrashank.com/> kendrashank.com (Time quote by Terry
Teachout; Boston Globe by Andrew Gilbert)
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.
<https://petemccann.com/> petemccann.com
DEAN JOHNSON: In the last few years bassist Dean Johnson has performed with
numerous groups including the New York Voices, Paul Jost Quartet, Fred
Hersch, Jane Ira Bloom and Art Lande. He also performs regularly with pipa
virtuoso Min Xioa-Fen and guitarist Steve Salerno in the Blue Pipa Trio,
performing their eclectic combination of jazz, bluegrass and Chinese folk
songs. Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador with vocalist Roseanna
Vitro 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. He has
an ongoing collaborative relationship with saxophonist Hayes Greenfield,
guitarists Jay Azzolina & Bruce Arnold and performed over the last 20 years
with vocalist Kendra Shank along with pianist Frank Kimbrough and drummer
Tony Moreno. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings with a variety of
artists and his debut recording as a leader titled Triology, featuring four
different trios, was released in 2016. He has traveled extensively
throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and
Israel. Born in Seattle, Dean moved to New York in 1980 and 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, Ray Anderson, Walter Norris, Bill Mays,
Vic Juris, Billy Harper, Art Farmer, Nick Brignola, Dave Kikoski, Bill
Frisell, Mike Metheny, John McNeil, and vocalists Sheila Jordan, Jackie and
Roy, Mark Murphy, Carol Sloane and Helen Merrill. Dean’s 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.
<https://deanjohnsonbassist.ne
« Imaginative and daring. » -Steve Futterman, The New Yorker
Kendra Shank Trio: In-Person + Streaming at Soapbox Gallery, Brooklyn
Kendra Shank – voice Gary Versace – piano Dean Johnson – bass
Friday, March 4th ~ 8:00 PM (one set)
Soapbox Gallery: 636 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Tickets: https://www.soapboxgallery.org/events/kendra-shank-trio-1
In-Person: $25 (vaccination proof + mask required)
Livestream: pay-what-you-can (3-day access)
Trains: 2,3 to Bergen St / B,Q to 7 Av / C to Clinton-Washington Avs
D,N,R,4,5,LIRR to Atlantic Av-Barclays
www.soapboxgallery.org / info@soapboxgallery.org
Videos: youtube.com/kendrashank Website: kendrashank.com
Kendra Shank Trio performs Friday, March 4 at the Soapbox Gallery, a favorite Brooklyn jazz room whose professional livestreams have been a lifeline for musicians during the pandemic. In addition to the Livestream option, audiences can now attend the concert in-person and enjoy the sculptures by gallery owner Jimmy Greenfield. This intimate setting is perfect for Shank’s conversational interplay with her stellar bandmates: pianist Gary Versace and bassist Dean Johnson. She first played with Versace in 1999 while on tour in Portland, Oregon, before he moved to NYC. Dean Johnson has been Shank’s constant collaborator for 22 years and is featured on several of her CDs. The trio’s program will include compositions by Julian Priester, Fred Hersch, Ralph Towner, Abbey Lincoln, Billy Drewes (with Shank’s lyrics), Frank Kimbrough, re-imagined standards, and Shank’s poetry with improvisations. Vaccine proof and masks are required and the venue is well ventilated.
« Her phrasing and rhythmic sense are idiosyncratic and intriguing, her endless textures and colors are revelatory, and she sings the hell out of a lyric, making sure the words make sense musically and intellectually. »
-Rick Mason, City Pages
KENDRA SHANK‘s seven CDs have received 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. 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. (Time quote by Terry Teachout; Boston Globe by Andrew Gilbert)
GARY VERSACE: Since basing himself in NYC in 2002 (originally hailing from Cos Cob, CT) jazz pianist, organist and accordionist Gary Versace has become one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the international jazz scene, often featured in bands led by musicians such as John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Al Foster, Regina Carter, Ellery Eskelin, Ray Anderson, John Hollenbeck, Ralph Alessi, Kurt Elling, Anat Cohen, Maria Schneider, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Wilson, Brad Shepik, Ingrid Jensen and many others. Versace, along with bandmates vocalist Kate McGarry and guitarist Keith Ganz, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2019 for his work on The Subject Tonight is Love. He won the “Rising Star” category on the Hammond organ in DownBeat‘s Critics Poll in 2009 and 2010, and has placed in the primary Organ category in the readers and critics polls in DownBeat and JazzTimes consistently for the last 10 years. Versace won the Jazz Jounalists’ Association’s « Best Instrumentalist – Instruments Rare In Jazz (accordion) » award in 2018, and their “Organist of the Year” award in 2012. Gary has appeared twice as a guest on Marian McPartland’s acclaimed NPR show Piano Jazz, and McPartland has described him as “…endlessly inventive…[Versace] really has an extraordinary talent.” He has several CDs as a leader on the Criss Cross and SteepleChase labels, the most recent being a piano trio recording, All for Now, featuring bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Obed Calvaire, which received a 4 star review in DownBeat and was included in their list of the best recordings of 2020. He has appeared on dozens of recordings as a sideman on various labels over the years with nationally and internationally known jazz artists.
DEAN JOHNSON: In the last few years bassist Dean Johnson has performed with numerous groups including the New York Voices, Paul Jost Quartet, Fred Hersch, Jane Ira Bloom and Art Lande. He also performs regularly with pipa virtuoso Min Xioa-Fen and guitarist Steve Salerno in the Blue Pipa Trio, performing their eclectic combination of jazz, bluegrass and Chinese folk songs. Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador with vocalist Roseanna Vitro 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. He has an ongoing collaborative relationship with saxophonist Hayes Greenfield, guitarists Jay Azzolina & Bruce Arnold and performed over the last 20 years with vocalist Kendra Shank along with pianist Frank Kimbrough and drummer Tony Moreno. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings with a variety of artists and his debut recording as a leader titled Triology, featuring four different trios, was released in 2016. He has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Israel. Born in Seattle, Dean moved to New York in 1980 and 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, Ray Anderson, Walter Norris, Bill Mays, Vic Juris, Billy Harper, Art Farmer, Nick Brignola, Dave Kikoski, Bill Frisell, Mike Metheny, John McNeil, and vocalists Sheila Jordan, Jackie and Roy, Mark Murphy, Carol Sloane and Helen Merrill. Dean’s 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.
CONTACT:
Kendra Shank Music
917-999-8320
« Imaginative and daring. » -Steve Futterman, The New Yorker
Kendra Shank’s First Live Performance in Nearly Two Years
Kendra Shank – voice Gary Versace – piano Dean Johnson – bass
Wednesday, January 5th, 2022
PANGEA – 7:00 PM (one set)
178 2nd Ave (btwn 11th & 12th St), NYC 10003
Reservations: 212-995-0900 / info@pangeanyc.com
$25 cash only cover, $20 food/drink minimum
Proof of vaccination & photo ID required
www.pangeanyc.com
Media Contact: info@kendrashank.com
Videos: youtube.com/kendrashank Website: kendrashank.com
After a diet of strictly streaming performances since the onset of the pandemic, Kendra Shank joyously anticipates her first performance with a live audience in nearly two years. Pangea’s Warm Winter Jazz Series in their intimate « cabaret room » is the perfect setting for Shank’s conversational interplay with her stellar bandmates: pianist Gary Versace and bassist Dean Johnson. She first played with Versace in 1999 while on tour in Portland, Oregon, before he moved to NYC. Dean Johnson has been Shank’s constant collaborator for 22 years and is featured on several of her CDs. The trio’s program will include compositions by Julian Priester, Fred Hersch, Ralph Towner, Abbey Lincoln, Billy Drewes (with Shank’s lyrics), Frank Kimbrough (in tribute to the late pianist with whom she collaborated for 28 years), re-imagined standards, and Shank’s poetry with improvisations. Pangea observes all safety protocols; vaccine proof and photo ID are required.
« Her phrasing and rhythmic sense are idiosyncratic and intriguing, her endless textures and colors are revelatory, and she sings the hell out of a lyric, making sure the words make sense musically and intellectually. »
-Rick Mason, City Pages
KENDRA SHANK’s seven CDs have received 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. 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. (Time quote by Terry Teachout; Boston Globe by Andrew Gilbert)
GARY VERSACE: Since basing himself in NYC in 2002 (originally hailing from Cos Cob, CT) jazz pianist, organist and accordionist Gary Versace has become one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the international jazz scene, often featured in bands led by musicians such as John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Al Foster, Regina Carter, Ellery Eskelin, Ray Anderson, John Hollenbeck, Ralph Alessi, Kurt Elling, Anat Cohen, Maria Schneider, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Wilson, Brad Shepik, Ingrid Jensen and many others. Versace, along with bandmates vocalist Kate McGarry and guitarist Keith Ganz, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2019 for his work on The Subject Tonight is Love. He won the “Rising Star” category on the Hammond organ in DownBeat’s Critics Poll in 2009 and 2010, and has placed in the primary Organ category in the readers and critics polls in DownBeat and JazzTimes consistently for the last 10 years. Versace won the Jazz Jounalists’ Association’s « Best Instrumentalist – Instruments Rare In Jazz (accordion) » award in 2018, and their “Organist of the Year” award in 2012. Gary has appeared twice as a guest on Marian McPartland’s acclaimed NPR show Piano Jazz, and McPartland has described him as “…endlessly inventive…[Versace] really has an extraordinary talent.” He has several CDs as a leader on the Criss Cross and SteepleChase labels, the most recent being a piano trio recording, All for Now, featuring bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Obed Calvaire, which received a 4 star review in DownBeat and was included in their list of the best recordings of 2020. He has appeared on dozens of recordings as a sideman on various labels over the years with nationally and internationally known jazz artists.
DEAN JOHNSON: In the last few years bassist Dean Johnson has performed with numerous groups including the New York Voices, Paul Jost Quartet, Fred Hersch, Jane Ira Bloom and Art Lande. He also performs regularly with pipa virtuoso Min Xioa-Fen and guitarist Steve Salerno in the Blue Pipa Trio, performing their eclectic combination of jazz, bluegrass and Chinese folk songs. Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador with vocalist Roseanna Vitro 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. He has an ongoing collaborative relationship with saxophonist Hayes Greenfield, guitarists Jay Azzolina & Bruce Arnold and performed over the last 20 years with vocalist Kendra Shank along with pianist Frank Kimbrough and drummer Tony Moreno. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings with a variety of artist 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, Ray Anderson, Walter Norris, Bill Mays, Vic Juris, Billy Harper, Art Farmer, Nick Brignola, Dave Kikoski, Bill Frisell, Mike Metheny, John McNeil, and vocalists Sheila Jordan, Jackie and Roy, Mark Murphy, Carol Sloane and Helen Merrill. Dean’s 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.
CONTACT:
Kendra Shank Music
2021
Hello Friends,
I hope you are staying safe and well! I will perform an internet concert Vendredi le 12 Mars à 2h at https://www.soapboxgallery.org/live-stream. It will remain posted for 3 days after the live event. You can watch for free, or make a donation by clicking the « Tickets » button. I’ll be joined by two of my favorite musicians: Gary Versace and Dean Johnson. See details below. Here’s video from a previous livestream there: https://youtu.be/zEe27TIRetA .
Sending warmest wishes! In love & gratitude, Kendra
Vendredi le 12 Mars à 2h (+ accès pendant 3 jours)
(= Thursday, March 11, 8pm in New York)
https://www.soapboxgallery.org/live-stream
Kendra Shank – voice / Gary Versace – piano / Dean Johnson – bass
Event info: https://www.soapboxgallery.org/events/kendra-shank
Can also watch on Facebook: https://facebook.com/soapboxgallery
2020
Hello Friends,
I will perform an internet concert Vendredi le 23 Octobre à 2h at https://www.soapboxgallery.org/live-stream. It’s free and will remain posted for 3 days if you can’t attend the live event. So happy to play with Dean & Jim again! Details below.
Last month bassist Dean Johnson and I had a blast doing a concert from my living room, which included my guitar & some voice-looping. It’s permanently posted here (free): https://www.facebook.com/jocelyn.medina.184/videos/10159292558101977/.
Wishing everyone health and kindness!
in love & gratitude, Kendra
Vendredi le 23 Octobre à 2h (+ accès pendant 3 jours)
Kendra Shank – voice / Jim Ridl – piano / Dean Johnson – bass
https://www.soapboxgallery.org/live-stream
(= Thursday, Oct. 22, 8pm in New York)
Free (pay-what-you-can « ticket » is optional).
The emcee might sing briefly before introducing us (don’t be confused). Concert will remain posted for 3 days.
Can also watch on Facebook: https://facebook.com/soapboxgallery
Band info: https://www.soapboxgallery.org/events/kendra-shank-trio-hxx7j
« When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. » – Willie Nelson
https://facebook.com/kendrashank.music
Let me know if you want to be removed from this list
Dear Friends,
I hope you’re staying safe and well during these difficult times! You haven’t heard from me in a long time, because I haven’t played in France (I’ve missed you!). But now I’m doing my first internet LiveStream concert, so you can watch from anywhere in the world. It will also remain posted for 3 days afterward at https://soapboxgallery.org/live-stream .
Friday, August 14 at 2h (Paris time)
Kendra Shank – voice / Jim Ridl – piano / Dean Johnson – bass
https://www.soapboxgallery.org/events/kendra-shank-trio
Paris: 2h / London: 1 am / New York: Aug. 13 at 8 pm / Donation optional
Chers amis,
J’espère que vous allez bien malgré ces moments difficiles! Vous n’avez pas eu de mes nouvelles depuis longtemps, car je n’ai pas joué en France (vous me manquez!). Mais voici que je fais mon premier concert en LiveStream sur Internet, afin que vous puissiez assister de n’importe où dans le monde. Vous pourrez aussi regarder la vidéo pendant les 3 jours après, au https://soapboxgallery.org/live-stream .
I’ve released 2 albums since I last wrote to you:
« Half Moon: Live in New York » with pianist Geoffrey Keezer: https://ridesymbol.com/half-moon-live-in-new-york/ & https://music.apple.com/album/1134271972?app=itunes&ls=1
« New York Conversations » with guitarist John Stowell: https://www.challengerecords.com/products/1395506207
I hope to travel to Europe again in the future. Meanwhile, wishing you all the best!
yours in Music,
Kendra
« This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before. » – Maya Angelou
« Walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide. » – John Lewis
https://facebook.com/kendra.shank2
https://facebook.com/kendrashank.music
Let me know if you want to be removed from this list
« Imaginative and daring. » -Steve Futterman, The New Yorker
Kendra Shank Returns To Jazz at Kitano – March 20 & 21
Kendra Shank – voice Frank Kimbrough – piano Dean Johnson – bass
+ saxophonist Billy Drewes on 21st only
Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21
8 & 10 PM shows
Jazz at Kitano
66 Park Ave. (at 38th St.), NYC
Reservations Advised: 212-885-7119
$35 cover, $20 food-drink minimum. kitano.com
Trains: 4,5,6,7,S to Grand Central
Video: https://youtu.be/PmCGiA0R-HE
Following a sold-out Winter Jazzfest concert (video link above), Kendra Shank returns to Jazz at Kitano on March 20th and 21st with a group of longtime collaborators. Her association with pianist Frank Kimbrough began in 1992 when jazz legend Shirley Horn presented them at the Village Vanguard. Since then they’ve recorded four CDs together, three of which also feature bassist Dean Johnson who joined Shank’s quartet in 1998, performing multiple club and festival dates. On Saturday, March 21st they’ll be joined by Billy Drewes, the Grammy-winning tenor and soprano saxophonist and member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra who appears on two of Shank’s CDs, weaving contrapuntal lines with the vocalist. With a concept that embraces organic fluidity and conversational group interplay, Kendra Shank combines modern jazz (including compositions by Kimbrough and Drewes with Shank’s lyrics), re-imagined standards, world, folk, and improvisation in an adventurous approach that inspired Gary Giddins to call her « one of New York’s most original performers » (Jazz Times). kendrashank.com / youtube.com/kendrashank
« In her forthright, unsentimental approach, stylistically Shank descends from [Abbey] Lincoln
while her distinctive scat and exploratory harmonic sense suggest Sheila Jordan is also in her lineage. »
George Kanzler, NYC Jazz Record
MUSICIAN BIOS
Vocalist Kendra Shank‘s seven CDs have received numerous “Best of the Year” citations, a New York Times « Critics’ Choice, » and DownBeat poll recognition, with accolades for her « delectable voice » (Time magazine) and « breathtakingly original concept » (Boston Globe). Since her 1992 debut at the Village Vanguard with Shirley Horn, Shank has become a mainstay on New York’s jazz scene and has headlined at top venues and festivals in Europe, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and the U.S. She has appeared on NPR’s JazzSet and Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, was guest guitarist on Abbey Lincoln’s Over The Years CD, and has performed and/or recorded as a vocalist with Frank Kimbrough, Geoffrey Keezer, Fred Hersch, Jeremy Siskind, Joe Locke, Jay Clayton, Bob Dorough, Ben Monder, John Stowell, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many more. (Time quote by Terry Teachout; Boston Globe by Andrew Gilbert) kendrashank.com
Pianist Frank Kimbrough has been active on the New York jazz scene for 35 years. He has recorded as a leader for Pirouet, Newvelle, Palmetto, OmniTone, Soul Note, Igmod, and Mapleshade. In addition to leading his own trio with bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Jeff Hirshfield, he has played with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Dewey Redman, Ben Allison, Joe Locke, Ted Nash and numerous others. Frank was a founding member and composer-in-residence of the Jazz Composers Collective (1992 – 2005) and played in nearly 20 of its associated groups. He has been included in the Downbeat Critics Poll each year since 2001 and his recordings are often included in jazz critics’ year’s-end top-ten lists. Frank’s work has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet the Composer, and from Chamber Music America’s Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project, and he is on the faculty at Juilliard. juilliard.edu/music/faculty/
Since arriving in New York in 1980, bassist Dean Johnson has performed with a wide variety of artists including Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Phil Woods, Fred Hersch, Dave Douglas, Lee Konitz, Jane Ira Bloom, Nguyen Le, Steve Kuhn, Wynton Marsalis, Art Farmer, Bill Frisell, Art Lande, The New York Voices, Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Kendra Shank, and a 10 year association with Gerry Mulligan. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings with a variety of artists and has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Israel. His debut recording as a leader titled « Triology, » featuring four different trios, was released in 2016. deanjohnsonbassist.com
Saxophonist and percussionist Billy Drewes has been creating music, composing, performing and recording since the mid 1970’s. His main instruments include soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinets, flutes, drums, percussion and piano. Featured on over 100 CD’s, with performance credits worldwide, he shares the stage with Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian and Toninho Horta at venues from Egypt to Cuba, Israel to Africa, New York’s Carnegie Hall to Albert Royal Hall in London. In 1990 he joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and is a current member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra with whom he has won a Grammy award. Billy has performed and recorded for the Nikolais Dance Company and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and continues to record and tour with artists including Herbie Hancock, Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Fred Hersch and Peter Erskine. billydrewesmusic.com
CONTACT:
Kendra Shank Music
212-741-3484 (voice)
« Imaginative and daring. » -Steve Futterman, The New Yorker
Kendra Shank Returns To Jazz at Kitano – March 20 & 21
Kendra Shank – voice Frank Kimbrough – piano Dean Johnson – bass
+ saxophonist Billy Drewes on 21st only
Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21
8 & 10 PM shows
Jazz at Kitano
66 Park Ave. (at 38th St.), NYC
Reservations Advised: 212-885-7119
$34 cover, $20 food-drink minimum. kitano.com
Trains: 4,5,6,7,S to Grand Central
Following a sold-out Winter Jazzfest concert (video link above), Kendra Shank returns to Jazz at Kitano on March 20th and 21st with a group of longtime collaborators. Her association with pianist Frank Kimbrough began in 1992 when jazz legend Shirley Horn presented them at the Village Vanguard. Since then they’ve recorded four CDs together, three of which also feature bassist Dean Johnson who joined Shank’s quartet in 1998, performing multiple club and festival dates. On Saturday, March 21st they’ll be joined by Billy Drewes, the Grammy-winning tenor and soprano saxophonist and member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra who appears on two of Shank’s CDs, weaving contrapuntal lines with the vocalist. With a concept that embraces organic fluidity and conversational group interplay, Kendra Shank combines modern jazz (including compositions by Kimbrough and Drewes with Shank’s lyrics), re-imagined standards, world, folk, and improvisation in an adventureous approach that inspired Gary Giddins to call her « one of New York’s most original performers » (Jazz Times). kendrashank.com / youtube.com/kendrashank
« In her forthright, unsentimental approach, stylistically Shank descends from [Abbey] Lincoln
while her distinctive scat and exploratory harmonic sense suggest Sheila Jordan is also in her lineage. »
George Kanzler, NYC Jazz Record
MUSICIAN BIOS
Vocalist Kendra Shank‘s seven CDs have received numerous “Best of the Year” citations, a New York Times « Critics’ Choice, » and DownBeat poll recognition, with accolades for her « delectable voice » (Time magazine) and « breathtakingly original concept » (Boston Globe). Since her 1992 debut at the Village Vanguard with Shirley Horn, Shank has become a mainstay on New York’s jazz scene and has headlined at top venues and festivals in Europe, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and the U.S. She has appeared on NPR’s JazzSet and Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, was guest guitarist on Abbey Lincoln’s Over The Years CD, and has performed and/or recorded as a vocalist with Frank Kimbrough, Geoffrey Keezer, Fred Hersch, Jeremy Siskind, Joe Locke, Jay Clayton, Bob Dorough, Ben Monder, John Stowell, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many more. (Time quote by Terry Teachout; Boston Globe by Andrew Gilbert) kendrashank.com
Pianist Frank Kimbrough has been active on the New York jazz scene for 35 years. He has recorded as a leader for Pirouet, Newvelle, Palmetto, OmniTone, Soul Note, Igmod, and Mapleshade. In addition to leading his own trio with bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Jeff Hirshfield, he has played with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Dewey Redman, Ben Allison, Joe Locke, Ted Nash and numerous others. Frank was a founding member and composer-in-residence of the Jazz Composers Collective (1992 – 2005) and played in nearly 20 of its associated groups. He has been included in the Downbeat Critics Poll each year since 2001 and his recordings are often included in jazz critics’ year’s-end top-ten lists. Frank’s work has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet the Composer, and from Chamber Music America’s Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project, and he is on the faculty at Juilliard. frankkimbrough.com
Since arriving in New York in 1980, bassist Dean Johnson has performed with a wide variety of artists including Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Phil Woods, Fred Hersch, Dave Douglas, Lee Konitz, Jane Ira Bloom, Nguyen Le, Steve Kuhn, Wynton Marsalis, Art Farmer, Bill Frisell, Art Lande, The New York Voices, Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Kendra Shank, and a 10 year association with Gerry Mulligan. Dean has appeared on over 50 recordings with a variety of artists and has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Israel. His debut recording as a leader titled « Triology, » featuring four different trios, was released in 2016. deanjohnsonbassist.com
Saxophonist and percussionist Billy Drewes has been creating music, composing, performing and recording since the mid 1970’s. His main instruments include soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinets, flutes, drums, percussion and piano. Featured on over 100 CD’s, with performance credits worldwide, he shares the stage with Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian and Toninho Horta at venues from Egypt to Cuba, Israel to Africa, New York’s Carnegie Hall to Albert Royal Hall in London. In 1990 he joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and is a current member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra with whom he has won a Grammy award. Billy has performed and recorded for the Nikolais Dance Company and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and continues to record and tour with artists including Herbie Hancock, Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Fred Hersch and Peter Erskine. billydrewesmusic.com
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