Shanker, Kenny
Wise Cat, 2021, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 27.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 81
O’s Notes: Alto saxophonist, composer and producer Kenny Shankar leads a quintet with Daisuke Abe (g), Mike Eckroth (p), Yoshi Waki (b) and Brian Fishler (d). They cook on “Prestissimo”, “Mirth” and “Orange and Gray”, all Shanker originals featuring guest trumpeter Bill Mobley. They show balance simmering on “It Never Entered My Mind” and swinging on “Without A Song” and “I’m Old Fashioned”. We preferred the upbeat energetic tunes but Shankar exudes confidence at all tempos using dynamics and tone to impact his imprint.
Publicist: Kari-On Productions