CD Review: Kenny Shanker, "Beautiful Things"

Kenny Shanker is one of the young alto saxophonists on today's Jazz scene who loves to perform music from Bebop to traditional standards.   Shanker released his fourth CD in August of 2021 entitled "Beautiful Things" that contains original compositions and some Jazz standards out of the "Great American Songbook".  The common element that brings all these diverse songs together is that they are all beautifully written songs.   Kenny Shanker is just not a great alto player, he is an award-winning composer, pianist and vocalist.  His compositions are melodic and accessible;  two important traits that I look for when enjoying Jazz.  

Shanker lives in NYC and has played at almost all the Jazz venues in the city starting with Carnegie Hall, Birdland,  Dizzy's Club, Smoke, Smalls, Fat Cat, and Jazz at Kitano just to name a few.   

I  remember being fascinated with Cannonball Adderley in the 60's.  He played a lot of Bebop but then Adderley released an album entitled, "Cannonball Adderley with Strings" that covered standards.  I remember how impressed I was with his ability to perform Bebop and still have an emotional feel for some great standards.  Shanker possesses the same skills;  he can do it all and makes his alto come to life on everything he plays.  His compositions are remarkably good, and will be heard for years to come.

Joining Shanker to create this CD is a talented group of musicians who have been performing with Shanker for a long-time.  Bill Mobley on Trumpet, Daisuke Abe on Guitar, Mike Eckroth on Piano, Yoshi Waki on Bass and  Brian Fishler on Drums.    

I have attached two "YouTube" tracks from Shanker's new CD.  The first is an original composition entitled "Prestissimo".  Shanker was inspired to write this composition by the early Bebop recordings that he loved.  The second, another Shanker original,  is a total change of pace that shows Shanker's versatility; it's called "Beautiful Things".     

                                                                         "Prestissimo"

                                                                        "Beautiful Things"

Playlist:

1. Cool Mint

2. Prestissimo

3. It Never Entered My Mind

4. Mirth

5. L'Impossible

6. Orange and Gray

7. Without A Song

8. I'm Old Fashioned

9. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 

Players:    

Kenny Shanker- Alto Saxophone, compositions

Bill Mobley- Trumpet

Daisuke Abe- Guitar

Mike Eckroth- Piano

Yoshi Waki- Bass

Brian Fishler- Drums

CD Pre-Release Review: Introducing "THE VERGE"

"The Verge"is a new powerfully-charged and musically creative group of musicians formed in New York City in 2011. The result of their labor has produced sounds that merge the music of yesterday, today and tomorrow very effectively. If there is such a thing as serious jazz musicians, this group qualifies. This CD is worth purchasing just to heard the different rhythms and creative arrangements.

Jon Hanser is a musical super star on Keys, plays Trumpet and has a voice that is easy to listen to and smooth. Jon also wrote the arrangements that are all fresh, unique and sure to please any jazz lover. Kenny Shanker plays just outstanding Sax and also sings and plays the Piano solo on cut #3, the Britney Spears 2011 hit "I Wanna Go". This song never sounded better with all due respect to Ms Spears. The third member of "The Verge" is Brian Fishler who plays drums and adds his voice to several cuts.

There are 12 cuts on this CD and I liked every one. "The Verge" is a forward-moving group that mixes intensity with mellifluous lyrics. They are musically perfect together!  This Cd will be released on November 20, 2012.