Shank And Mandyck Join Forces For Hot Night Of Jazz
As Seattle has grown into a world-class city, so has its jazz scene. A flourishing community of young players complements the schedule of national acts that appear at clubs like Jazz Alley.
Of all the youngsters in Seattle, Kendra Shank and Rick Mandyck are perhaps the most likely to step up to the next level. In fact, Shank has - she’s now working out of New York, playing the Village Vanguard and Birdland.
Shank and Mandyck will appear together at Hobart’s Jazz Lounge Friday and Saturday.
Shank is a vocalist who so impressed Shirley Horn that the legendary singer agreed to co-produce her debut CD, “Afterglow.” Mandyck is a Coltrane disciple who was named Best Emerging Artist by Seattle’s Earshot Jazz magazine in 1995, then won best album honors the next year for “Looking Glass.”
Shank’s CD is a tour d’force of balladry. Backed by such musicians as saxman Gary Bartz and pianist Larry Willis, she covers Elvis Costello’s “Almost Blue” and Antonio Jobim’s “Photograph.” She picks up the tempo to sing her own “Paris Bossa” and swings genially into T. Kirk’s “Devil May Care.”
Shank’s pure alto is one of those voices made for jazz. Darkly hued and compelling, it summons late nights and broken hearts, and when it breaks into sunnier territory it makes the world a pretty place.
The match with Mandyck should be a good one: He plays a full-voiced tenor that recalls a host of great tenor players - Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Cannonball Adderly and Michael Brecker.
Backed by some of the Northwest’s finest players on “Looking Glass,” Mandyck displays a light touch and a fine way with a melody. His sensitive balladry suggests that the pairing with Shanks is one that will long be remembered.
Shank and Mandyck will front a Spokane rhythm section comprised of pianist Brent Edstrom, bassist Eugene Jablonsky and drummer Rick Westrick.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color photos
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT Kendra Shank and Rick Mandyck will perform Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. at Hobart’s Jazz Lounge, 110 E. Fourth. Admission is $5 at the door.