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Kenny Drew Jr.

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Kenny Drew Jr.
BornJune 14, 1958
New York City, New York, US
DiedAugust 3, 2014(2014-08-03) (aged 56)
St. Petersburg, Florida, US
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentPiano
Years active1970s–2010s

Kenny Drew Jr. (June 14, 1958 – August 3, 2014) was an American jazz pianist. His music is known for its hard-swinging bluesy sound and large, two-handed rooty chords contrasting with fast runs. The son of jazz pianist Kenny Drew, he did not credit his father as an influence.[1][2][3]

Biography

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His initial study was in classical music with his aunt and grandmother.[1] In his teens he became interested in jazz and pop, but initially worked in funk bands. Later he went into jazz piano and in 1990 won The Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Drew continued to perform jazz, but he also performed some chamber music. His style has some similarities to his father's, but is different enough to generally avoid comparison; he was considered the more eclectic of the two men.

Drew attended Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, for a period during 1977 to 1978. There, he became pianist for the Iona College Singers, an entertainment troop promoting the college's name and goodwill among local high schools, retirement homes and the like in the Northeast region of the US.

Drew cited Thelonious Monk as an influence and like Monk often recorded (and performed) solo.

Drew died at home in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 3, 2014.[3]

Discography

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As leader

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Year recorded Title Label Notes
1987 The Flame Within Pony Canyon Quartet, with Bob Berg (tenor sax), Charnett Moffett (bass), Al Foster (drums)
1988 The Rainbow Connection Evidence With Terence Blanchard (trumpet), Charnett Moffett (bass), Cody Moffett (drums)
1989 Third Phase Pony Canyon Trio, with Buster Williams (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)
1991 Kenny Drew, Jr. Antilles Some tracks trio, with Christian McBride (bass), Winard Harper, (drums); some tracks quintet, with Wallace Roney (trumpet), Ralph Moore (tenor sax), George Mraz (bass), Al Foster (drums)
1992 A Look Inside Antilles Some tracks quartet with David Sánchez (tenor sax), George Mraz (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); some tracks quartet with Joshua Redman (tenor sax), Charnett Moffett (bass); Cody Moffett (drums)
1993 Another Point of View JazzCity Spirit One track solo piano; most tracks trio, with Eddie Gomez (bass), Bill Stewart (drums) added
1994 Kenny Drew Jr. at Maybeck Concord Jazz Solo piano; in concert
1994 Portraits of Mingus & Monk Claves Jazz Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)
1995 Secrets TCB Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)
1995 This One's for Bill TCB Solo piano
1995 Crystal River TCB Sextet, with Michael Philip Mossman (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ravi Coltrane (soprano sax, tenor sax), Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Lynn Seaton (bass), Tony Reedus (drums)
1995 Passionata Meldac Jazz Most tracks trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); some tracks with strings added
1996 Reverie Meldac Jazz Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)
1997 Reverie Meldac Jazz With Lynn Seaton (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); some tracks with David Sanchez (tenor sax) added
1997 Follow the Spirit Sirocco Jazz Quartet, with Steve Wilson (soprano sax, alto sax), Lynn Seaton (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
1998 Winter Flower Milestone Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
1999 Remembrance TCB With Wallace Roney (trumpet), Stefon Harris (vibes), Santi Debriano (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
1999 Live at Montreux TCB Solo piano; in concert
2001 Autumn Pony Canyon Trio, with George Mraz (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
2002? Da Skale TCB Daniel Schnyder / Kenny Drew Jr. Quartet
2011? Duality Random Act with Larry Coryell
2012? Coral Sea Random Act Trio, with Jon Burr (bass), Marty Morell (drums); released 2012

Main source:[4]

As sideman

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References

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  1. ^ a b Scott Yanow, Allmusic biography.
  2. ^ George Colligan (4 August 2014). "R.I.P. Kenny Drew Jr". Jazz Truth. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Tamarkin, Jeff (August 6, 2014), "Pianist Kenny Drew Jr. Dies at 56". JazzTimes.
  4. ^ "Kenny Drew Jr. Discography". jazzdisco.org. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  5. ^ "Kevin Çelebi - Purge Corruption". iTunes. 23 May 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "Kevin Çelebi - Purge Corruption". Google Play. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
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