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DIVA KENDRA SHANK

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Cover. Table of Contents. STARS ILLUSTRATED. SPECIAL EDITION OF THE YEAR. P. 95

Kendra: "I bring my life to the stage--Kendra Shank the human being.  I'm basically just being me, not a created persona." 

The Kendra Shank Quartet: From left to right, Frank Kimbrough (piano), Kendra Shank (voice), Dean Johnson (bass), Tony Moreno (drums).

My particular sound and musical approach is influenced by a motley mixture of all the different kinds of music I've played (and listened to) over the years:  folk, country, bluegrass, French chansons, and jazz.  People have commented that I don't sound like anyone else.   If that's true, I suppose it might be because of that varied musical background.

Q-What is the most pleasant sound to your ears?            Kendra: Ocean surf.                                                                            Q-And the most beautiful site to your eyes?                             Kendra: Sunshine on a pristine beach                                           Q-What do you fear most in life?                                           Kendra: Fear itself                                                                             Q-What do you cherish most?                                                       Kendra: My family, friends, and music.                                              Q-If you had to write your memoirs or biography, what title would you give to your book?                                                        Kendra: Cliff Jumping                                                                       Q-What goes in your mind, right before you appear on stage and facing your audience?                                                            Kendra: I'm usually just feeling excited to play, anticipating a wonderful ride with my band, and not really thinking of anything at all.  I try to let go of my mind, connect with my breath and hear the first song in my ear/body before counting it off.  I generally try to remember to focus on a state of love and like I'm just singing to a bunch of friends in my livingroom, sharing my music with them.                                                            Q-And upon leaving the stage?                                              Kendra: Quite often I'm feeling high--almost an altered state-- and just feeling how great it was to play music.  Depending on the situation, though, I might be thinking about logistics of selling CDs, or what I need to tell the sound engineer before the next set, or what I need to do to take care of the band (order dinner, etc).                                                                                         Q-What do you notice first about a person you meet for the first time?                                                                                                 Kendra: Their face; probably their eyes.

 

Q-And what people notice first about Kendra?                                         Kendra: You'd have to ask them.                                                                           Q-Stage is an elixir of illusion. Do you bring your life to stage, meaning Kendra Shank, the human being, or the Diva in you?                                         Kendra: I bring my life to the stage--Kendra Shank the human being.  I'm basically just being me, not a created persona.  I sing songs that have personal resonance for me, that relate to my life experience in some way (as opposed to playing a character) and I tend to be pretty vulnerable.           Q-What are the virtues of a real singer?                                                              Kendra: Truth, Genuineness, Emotional Resonance, Tone, Authenticity          Q-Do you tolerate vicious artistic ambitions?                                                      Kendra: I avoid viciousness in general.                                                                 Q-What does success mean to you?                                                               Kendra: Being true to myself in life and music (which are pretty much the same thing to me).                                                                                                     Q-To YOU, what is more important success/fame or talent.                               Kendra: Talent, (although, with my definition of success as "being true to oneself", then success is desirable.  I don't consider fame a measure of success).                                                                                                                     Q-Any price an artist must pay to reach for stardom?                                       Kendra: Well, I don't really know much about stardom, but I know that to reach for the best in yourself requires dedication, discipline, trust, vigilance, constant practice, humor, love, playfulness, and the willingness to take risks and make mistakes.                                                                                                   Q-Did you pay that price?                                                                                     Kendra:  I've made a down payment and make daily installments.                   Q-What's next on your agenda? Performance, concerts, deals                           Kendra: I perform at the "55 Bar" in Manhattan on the last Friday of every month, from 6pm till 9pm.  This intimate Greenwich Village jazz bar has been my home for nearly 4 years, and the relaxed atmosphere invites many creative musical surprises.  When my new CD comes out, I'll get back to touring and playing some of the other NYC jazz venues (performance dates, previous CDs, and other info can be found at my website www.kendrashank.com ).  A record deal is currently being negotiated and the CD should be released in Feb. 2007.  It's entitled "A Spirit Free" and is a collection of Abbey Lincoln songs recorded with my band of seven years, plus special guests.