On Monday, June 6, 2005, the Kendra Shank Quartet with special guest Billy Drewes returns to Jazz Standard on the "Voices and Songs" series, curated by Fred Hersch.  Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30pm with a $15 music charge and no minimum.  Jazz Standard, one of New York City's best listening rooms for jazz, is located at 116 E. 27th St. (between Park & Lexington), and offers a delicious dinner menu and full bar.  For reservations call 212-576-2232.

 

 

    Hailed by critics as "an adventurous and innovative artist" (Variety) and "one of the top jazz singers around today" (L.A. Jazz Scene), Kendra Shank combines jazz originals, standards, French tunes, and open improvisation in a personal style that transcends musical genres.  Building on studies with jazz vocalist Jay Clayton, Shank forged successful careers in Seattle, WA and Paris, France (1988 - 1996) before settling in her current New York City home in 1997.  In 1991 she was vocalist/guitarist/percussionist in the Bob Dorough Quartet and in 1992 made her New York debut at the Village Vanguard in a showcase performance hosted by jazz legend Shirley Horn. Shank's critically-acclaimed debut album, Afterglow (Mapleshade, 1994), was co-produced by Horn and features pianist Larry Willis and saxophonist Gary Bartz.  Her following two releases on the Jazz Focus label, Wish (1998) and Reflections (2000), put her in the Down Beat International Critics Poll list of "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" and in the "Top Ten" lists of Jazziz, The Boston Globe, and Newsday.  Grammy-winning journalist Bob Blumenthal wrote: "This vocalist makes lyrics believable, invents like an instrumentalist, and has an ear second to none for little-known and unknown tunes," and Terry Teachout, in his Time magazine review, exclaimed "Get in on the ground floor: this lady is going up."  Shank headlines at clubs and festivals internationally, and has been featured on NPR's Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland and twice on NPR's JazzSet.  She has also been a vocal guest with Jay Clayton and Peter Leitch.  For music samples and more information, visit http://www.kendrashank.com .