Kenny Shanker

 

Biography

 

Kenny Shanker is a saxophonist, pianist, vocalist, and award-winning composer. He put out his first album, Steppin’ Up, in 2011 for Posi-Tone Records, and it was hailed as “immediately enjoyable, with enough twists and turns to reward repeated listening” by Bruce Lindsay of All About Jazz. In 2014, he released Action City, his second album for Posi-Tone. Bop and Jazz called it “ridiculously good,” and The Jazz Page called it “an outstanding exposition of the writing chops that won the California native an ASCAP award for composition in recent years.” In 2017, Kenny released his third recording, The Witching Hour, for Wise Cat Records, which Jazz Weekly called an “impressive foray.” In 2021, Shanker released Beautiful Things, which reached number 2 on the RMR Top 50 Jazz Chart. Exclusive Magazine called it a “stunning musical adventure,” and Audiophile Review said, “Beautiful Things is exactly that – beautiful.” Kenny released Vortex in 2022, which also reached number 2 on the RMR Top 50 Jazz Chart. Jazziz called it "deep, upbeat, and joyful." Jazz DaGama proclaimed "The alto saxophone appears to be a way of life for Kenny Shanker. It lives and breathes as if an extension of him; and the notes flow out of Mr. Shanker as if he was made almost completely of music himself."

Kenny has performed with the New World Symphony, Richard Bona, David Benoit, Lage Lund, Taylor Eigsti, Bill Mobley, Shelly Berg, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Coalescence, and many others. He has also played the national anthem for the Golden State Warriors and the Oakland Raiders and toured throughout North America, Europe, South America, and Japan. Locally, he has performed at Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club, Smoke, Smalls, Fat Cat, Jazz at Kitano, Queens Jazz Festival, The Garage, Rockwood Music Hall, and The Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center. He currently resides in New York City.