Born of an impromptu Manhattan studio session, New York Conversations captures the playful, conversational synergy that results from this duo's two-decade collaboration.
Kendra Shank, acclaimed for her delectable voice (Time Magazine) and breathtakingly original concept (Boston Globe) joins master guitarist John Stowell who seems to pull arching motifs out of thin air, eschewing clichés (All About Jazz), in this co-led project. The interactive duo pushes boundaries with a personal mix of Stowell originals (some with Shank's lyrics), reimagined jazz standards, a Fred Hersch/Norma Winstone song, a folk song medley, and free improvisations. Moods range from intimate tender ballads to mixed meter jaunts, syncopated swing, sensuous samba, and the evocatively experimental. Stowell plays pianistic chords and rich unexpected harmonies on a colorful array of guitars: electric, steel string acoustic, nylon acoustic, and fretless. In addition to her compelling interpretations of lyrics, Shank improvises multi-layered wordless collages using an electronic looper and other effects, functioning as an instrumentalist in organic interplay with Stowell.
Born of an impromptu Manhattan studio session, New York Conversations is music created in the moment and captures the playful, conversational synergy that results from this duo's two-decade collaboration.
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