Kenny Shanker - Beautiful Things (2021)

Kenny Shanker is back with an exciting program of original compositions and jazz standards for his second release on Wise Cat Records. The common element that appears throughout this diverse set is a search for beauty in all of its various forms. Some highlights include the blazingly fast “Prestissimo,” inspired by the early bebop recordings that Shanker grew up listening to, and the catchy, spirited original composition “Cool Mint.” Other standouts include straight-ahead renditions of several jazz classics, the spontaneous freedom of “Orange and Gray,” and the classically influenced “Beautiful Things.” He is joined by his longtime rhythm section of Mike Eckroth, Daisuke Abe, Yoshi Waki, and Brian Fishler, along with Bill Mobley on Trumpet.