Kendra Shank Jazz Band

Based in New York NY

Internationally touring vocalist and recording artist Kendra Shank combines modern jazz songs, American Songbook standards, world music, French chansons, folk/pop tunes, originals, and open improvisation in an adventurous, genre-bending style that inspired Gary Giddins to call her "one of New York's most original performers" (Jazz Times).  If desired, she's also able to tailor her performance to focus on any one of the above musical styles and can provide a group of any size, from duo to sextet. Her jazz quartet of 16 years features some of New York's top musicians: pianist Frank Kimbrough, bassist Dean Johnson, and drummer Tony Moreno. Her recordings have also featured guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Billy Drewes, expanding the group to a sextet.  Her more progressive duo project with guitarist John Stowell includes improvised pieces that employ live vocal looping.

Kendra Shank's seven critically acclaimed CDs have received numerous “Best of the Year” citations, a New York Times "Critics' Choice," and Down Beat 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, Asia, Africa, Australia, Canada and across 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 Geoffrey Keezer, Fred Hersch, Larry Willis, Joe Locke, Jay Clayton, Bob Dorough, Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Victor Lewis, Matt Wilson, and many more.