Vocalist Kendra Shank and master guitarist John Stowell will perform selections from their just released album, New York Conversations, at North Coast Brewing Company’s Sequoia Room on Wednesday, April 16. The result of an impromptu Manhattan recording session, the album has been described by Jazz Times as “a thrilling excursion…Shank and Stowell are relentlessly adventurous, at last preserving the scintillating rapport of their live performances.”
John Stowell began his career in the early 1970s, studying and performing with his mentors, guitarist Linc Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. Several years later he met bassist David Friesen in New York City and they formed a duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years with national and international performances. The duo continues to perform more than thirty years after their first meeting. In 1983, John and David joined flutist Paul Horn for an historic tour of the Soviet Union. John continues to tour, record and teach international guitar clinics. He is a contributing columnist for a number of magazines, including Downbeat, and Guitar Player.
Kendra Shank began her music career playing in subways and sidewalk cafes. After several years on the West Coast folk music circuit a Billie Holiday recording inspired her to pursue jazz. She relocated to New York in 1997 and record two albums for Jazz Focus records. Acclaimed by Time Magazine for her “delectable voice,” and by the Boston Globe for her “breathtakingly original concept,” Kendra has been featured on National Public Radio’s JazzSet and Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland. She has taught vocal clinics and performed internationally.
New York Conversations is a sophisticated mix of intimate ballads, mixed-meter jaunts, syncopated swing, sensuous samba and improvisational whimsy. John plays piano like chords and unexpected harmonies on an array of guitars, including electric, steel string acoustic, nylon acoustic and fretless. In addition to her compelling interpretation of lyrics, Kendra improvises multi-layered wordless collages using an electronic looper and other effects, functioning as an instrumentalist in organic interplay with John.
The duo will perform in North Coast Brewing’s Sequoia Room. The first show is from 7 to 8 pm with dinner seatings beginning at 6 pm. The second show begins at 9 with seatings beginning at 8:30. Reservations are recommended. 707 964-1286 – 444 N Main St, Fort Bragg