Kenny Drew

Kenny Drew

Kenneth Sidney (Kenny) Drew (August 28, 1928–August 4, 1993) was an American jazz pianist.

Biography

Born in New York City, New York, he first recorded with Howard McGhee in 1949, and over the next two years recorded with Buddy DeFranco, Coleman Hawkins, Milt Jackson, Charlie Parker, Buddy Rich, and Dinah Washington. He then led many recording sessions throughout the 1950s, and appeared on John Coltrane's album Blue Train.

Along with several other American jazz musicians who went to Europe, in 1961 he moved to Copenhagen, Denmark. While he sacrificed much of the interest of the American jazz audience, he gained a wide following across Europe. Kenny Drew was a well known figure on the Copenhagen jazz scene, recording many sessions with the Danish bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.

Kenny Drew and Dexter Gordon appeared onscreen in Ole Ege's theatrically released hardcore pornographic film Pornografi (1971), for which they composed and performed the score.

On his passing in 1993, Kenny Drew was interred in the Assistens Cemetery in Nørrebro, Copenhagen.

His son Kenny Drew, Jr. is also a jazz pianist.

Discography

As leader

• 1957: Trio/Quartet/Quintet: The Riverside Collection (Riverside) with Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
• 1960: Undercurrent (Blue Note) with Freddie Hubbard, Hank Mobley, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes
• 1974: Dark and Beautiful (Steeplechase) with NHØP, Tootie Heath
• 1978: Home Is Where the Soul Is
• 1978: For Sure!
• 1989: Recollection (Timeless) with NHØP
• 1993: At the Brewhouse (Storyville) with NHØP
• 1996: Solo-Duo

As sideman

With John Coltrane

• High Step (1956)
• Blue Train (1957)

With Dexter Gordon

• One Flight Up (1964)
• Daddy Plays the Horn (1955)
• Dexter Calling... (1961)

With Ray Nance

• Huffin'n'Puffin' (1971)

External links

• MusicWeb Encyclopaedia of Popular Music
• allmusic