Kenny Drew
Piano
About
Kenny Drew was a talented jazz pianist and composer who played with most of the top musicians of his era. His first recording was with Howard McGhee in 1950 and he went on to record with Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Dinah Washington among others. Drew also recorded over 30 albums as leader. In 1961 he moved to Paris and then permanently relocated to Copenhagen in 1964. In Copenhagen he was a well-known figure in the jazz scene and recorded frequently with Danish bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. Kenny Drew died in 1993 at the age of 64.
Trivia
Along with Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew composed and recorded the score for the hardcore pornographic film "Pornografi – en musical." Kenny Drew was co-owner of the Matrix record label. His son, Kenny Drew Jr., was also a talented jazz pianist, particularly popular during the 1990s.
Early Life
Kenny Drew was born and raised in New York. He began playing the piano at age 5 and at age 8 he gave his first public recital. Drew attended the High School of Music and Art in New York and worked as an accompanist for the Pearl Primus Dance School. As a young man he was influenced by Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell and Thelonius Monk.
Kenny Drew Solos
1967
Piano solo - Devilette - 1967
4/4 latin in G minor at 126 BPM
Piano solo - For All We Know - 1967
4/4 ballad in A♭ major at 58 BPM
Piano solo - Doxy - 1967
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 139 BPM
Piano solo - Sonnymoon For Two - 1967
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 229 BPM
Piano solo - Misty - 1967
4/4 ballad in A♭ major at 52 BPM
1958
Piano solo - Do It The Hard Way - 1958
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 172 BPM
Piano solo - I'm Old Fashioned - 1958
4/4 ballad in A♭ major at 65 BPM
Piano solo - You're Driving Me Crazy - 1958
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 142 BPM
Piano solo - My Heart Stood Still - 1958
4/4 swing in F major at 165 BPM
Piano solo - The More I See You - 1958
4/4 swing in G major at 150 BPM
Piano solo - Everything Happens To Me - 1958
4/4 ballad in G major at 60 BPM
Piano solo - Dancing On The Ceiling - 1958
4/4 swing in F major at 144 BPM
Piano solo - How Long Has This Been Going On? - 1958
4/4 ballad in G major at 71 BPM
Piano solo - Old Devil Moon - 1958
4/4 swing in F major at 162 BPM
Piano solo - You Make Me Feel So Young - 1958
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 151 BPM
Piano solo - The More I See You - 1958
4/4 swing in G major at 164 BPM
Piano solo - Everything Happens To Me - 1958
4/4 ballad in G major at 62 BPM
1957
Piano solo - Blue Trane - 1957
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 136 BPM
Piano solo - Moment's Notice - 1957
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 255 BPM
Piano solo - Locomotion - 1957
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 268 BPM
Piano solo - I'm Old Fashioned - 1957
4/4 ballad in E♭ major at 79 BPM
Piano solo - Lazy Bird - 1957
4/4 swing in G major at 252 BPM
1956
Piano solo - Dexterity - 1956
4/4 swing in F major at 176 BPM
Piano solo - Stablemates - 1956
4/4 swing in D♭ major at 198 BPM
Piano solo - Easy to Love - 1956
4/4 swing in C major at 183 BPM
Piano solo - John Paul Jones - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 113 BPM
Piano solo - Eastbound - 1956
4/4 swing in C minor at 268 BPM