Mosaic

by Kendra Shank

Overview

Kendra Shank opens Mosaic with a gem that many post-bop vocalists wouldn't consider including in their repertoire: Carole King's early-'70s ballad "So Far Away," which Shank performs in a straightforward fashion. Shank's heartfelt performance packs a strong punch emotionally, although it doesn't have quite the improvisatory appeal that her performances are usually known for having. But after that opener, Shank's improvisatory skills assert themselves in a major way -- and she is delightfully uninhibited on impressionistic versions of songs ranging from Bill Evans' "Time Remembered" and Cedar Walton's "Life's Mosaic" to Irving Berlin's Tin Pan Alley standard "Blue Skies" (which is part of a medley that also includes Shank's own "Reflections in Blue"). And true to form, Shank reminds listeners that jazz vocalists can be cerebral without being cold, distant, or aloof. Shank has long had an impressive ability to be intellectual and warm at the same time -- and that holds true on Mosaic whether she is turning her attention to Cole Porter's "All of You" or Johnny Mandel's "The Shining Sea." Not only do beauty and intellect coexist on this 2008 recording -- they complement one another and are equally important parts of Shank's artistic makeup. For all its post-bop abstraction, Mosaic is never lacking when it comes to emotion or vulnerability. Mosaic isn't quite as essential as A Spirit Free: Abbey Lincoln Songbook, the superb tribute to jazz vocal icon Abbey Lincoln that Shank recorded in 2005. But it is still an excellent addition to her rewarding catalog. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2009
Label:	CHALLENGE
UPC:	0608917327922

Tracks

1. So Far Away
2. Life's Mosaic
3. Reflections in Blue/Blue Skies
4. Laughing at Life/Smile
5. The Shining Sea
6. Water from Your Spring/Beautiful Love
7. For Duke
8. All of You
9. Time Remembered
10. I'm Movin' On
11. I'll Meet You There

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kendra Shank   Primary Artist,Vocals
Billy Drewes   Primary Artist,Sax (Sopranino),Sax (Soprano),Sax (Tenor),Saxophone,Clarinet
Ben Monder   Primary Artist,Guitar
Kendra Shank Quartet   Primary Artist
Dean Johnson   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Tony Moreno   Drums
Frank Kimbrough   Piano

Technical Credits

Bob Todd   Composer
Kendra Shank   Composer,Producer
Kirk Nurock   Composer
Cornell Todd   Composer
Irving Berlin   Composer
Cole Porter   Composer
Judy Niemack   Composer
John Abbott   Photography
Charles F. Kenny   Composer
Carole King   Composer
Egbert VanAlstyne   Composer
John Turner   Composer
Johnny Mandel   Composer
Charlie Chaplin   Composer
Geoffrey Parsons   Composer
Peggy Lee   Composer
Nick A. Kenny   Composer
Rumi   Composer
Haven Gillespie   Composer
Cedar Walton   Composer
Bill Evans   Composer
Coleman Barks   Translation
Frank Kimbrough   Composer
Wayne King   Composer
Manfred Knoop   Mixing,Engineer
Victor Young   Composer
Cornell & Bob Todd   Composer
John & Paula Hackett   Composer
Maryanne De Prophetis   Composer
Andrew Rowan   Producer,Liner Notes,Photography
Paula Hackett   Composer
Paul Lewis   Composer
Marcel van den Broek   A&R,Cover Design,Art Direction