CD Review: Kenny Shanker, "Vortex"

 

A year ago I reviewed Kenny Shanker's CD, "Beautiful Things" and I thought it was an amazing collection of music.  It describes perfectly the kind of music Kenny Shanker selects and plays.  Kenny Shanker is not just a great Alto and Soprano saxophonist, he also plays Piano and is an award-winning composer.  On Kenny's newly released album, "Vortex" he has put together a collection of original compositions and Jazz standards. 

Kenny Shanker's style excites me in the same way I was excited when I first discovered Jazz from the Dave Brubeck Quartet in the late 50's.  Kenny's tone and phrasing reminds me of my all-time favorite Alto player, Paul Desmond.  "Vortex" combines some of Shanker's favorite supporting players and all 10 songs on the playlist are terrific.

For all the up-and-coming Alto players reading this review, Kenny Shanker gives private lessons on Sax and Piano and you can find out more about this exciting opportunity by going to his site, www.kennyshanker.com.

I picked two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first one was picked because it's beautiful but because it is also a simply a classic Jazz tune, "Autumn Leaves".   The second song was written by Dave Brubeck and titled "The Duke" and gave me a very positive reminder about how much I love  Dave Brubeck and his quartet.  

Players:

Kenny Shanker- Alto and Soprano Sax

Bill Mobley-Trumpet

Daisuke Abe- Guitar

Mike Eckroth- Piano

Yoshi Waki- Bass

Brian Fishler- Drums

Playlist:

1. Vortex

2. Lulu's Back in Town

3. Winter Song

4. Hunter

5. Ramble

6. Nightfall

7. The Duke

8. Cinnamon

9. Midnight Snack

10. Autumn Leaves    

                                                                    "Autumn Leaves"

                                                                            "The Duke"

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