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Shan Kenner

Guitarist Shan Kenner was destined to be a guitarist and composer of merit and acclaim. Shan’s background in music started when he began playing guitar as a teenager, learning the ropes gigging as a guitarist performing punk, rock, classical and jazz in LA. In his late 20’s Shan became a distinguished fixture in San Francisco Bay area during the .com explosion of the late 90’s. Shan almost immediately garnered regular gigs at the hottest spots in town, created a buzz, inventing a new free form improvisational jazz scene and performed with some of the most seasoned jazz performers in San Francisco for nearly nine years. Kenner’s in depth exploration of freeform improvisational jazz combined house music and drum and bass with flamenco, jazz and soul guitar while blending traditional jazz standards with styling’s of African, Latin and world music. Shan’s esteemed run of steady and exciting gigs supplied him with all the virtuostic skills, and experiences he needed to head east and relocate to NYC in the fall of 2007.

Within nine months of his arrival, Shan Kenner releases his debut CD in NYC; “Brooklyn Sketches”. “Brooklyn Sketches’” is packed full of powerful and flowing dialogue between bassist Ryan Berg and stalwart drummer Rudy Royston who joined Shan on the recording. This innovative new jazz trio comes with a crisp new sounding CD that seemed to be waiting to be made. “Brooklyn Sketches” expresses their passion for the vital musical culture of the New York City Area, while adequately exposing Kenner as new jazz guitar talent to look out for.

Gear

Late 70's 335 model guitars, vintage 1961 Fender Princeton, Lexicon LXP-1-Guyatone MD-1, Rat Distortion.


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Album Review

Shan Kenner Trio: Brooklyn Sketches

Read "Brooklyn Sketches" reviewed by Matthew Warnock


Brooklyn Sketches is a genre-bending, highly energetic album by New York-based guitarist Shan Kenner. Kenner's modern approach to improvising and his constant need to explore new realms of dissonance and rhythmic tension provide for some very interesting moments on the record. Not to be outdone, the rhythm section of Ryan Berg on bass and Rudy Royston on drums prove to be a dynamic pair in both solo and ensemble settings. Both of these talented musicians are equally comfortable when pushing ...

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