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Artist:Kenny Drew,Jr.
Title:"Kenny Drew,Jr."
Year Released:1991
Label:Antilles
Genre:Jazz
This self-titled session from pianist Kenny Drew,Jr. is one of any number of jazz releases deserving of further mention, easily overlooked since first issued- but one which also connects KDJ,in style and sentiment, to Bill Evans(as will a few more of these reviews).
Although it may not be as impressive as what Archie Manning pulled off-you may have heard of his sons,Eli and Peyton...they throw footballs!
-the senior Kenny Drew-who made many Blue Note sessions classic(eg:"Dexter Calling",Dexter Gordon) was surely as proud of his son's talent at the keyboard,if not the gridiron. Although raised without his dad's physical presence at home-Drew had long since relocated to Europe-he knew his music and always had the records,at least. KDJ says he "grew up on them".
While Herbie ,Chick and Oscar were early influences,it's the link to Bill Evans most evident in this recording. KDJ performs an original ,This One's For Bill,a gorgeous waltz that gets in your head-and stays there. Laurie/TTTT ,both by Evans,features the saxophone of Ralph Moore on the uptempo TTTT. Drew shines on this especially,demonstrating his personal take on a tune Evan often played with his later trios. The date closes with a heartfelt solo performance of When You Wish Upon A Star-which,of course,indirectly references the trio performance of Someday My Prince Will Come on Evan's PORTRAIT IN JAZZ in 1959. The ten tracks also include excellent versions of Thelonious Monk tunes,In Walked Bud and Monk's Mood,the latter a solo performance.
With musicians George Mraz and Al Foster on the fine trio tracks-along with Christian McBride and Winard Harper on the 5tet pieces-Kenny Drew,Jr. put together a date in 1991 with some well-recorded performances that make this obscure release worth looking for-while his tune This Ones For Bill makes it a keeper.
Charles
Title:"Kenny Drew,Jr."
Year Released:1991
Label:Antilles
Genre:Jazz
This self-titled session from pianist Kenny Drew,Jr. is one of any number of jazz releases deserving of further mention, easily overlooked since first issued- but one which also connects KDJ,in style and sentiment, to Bill Evans(as will a few more of these reviews).
Although it may not be as impressive as what Archie Manning pulled off-you may have heard of his sons,Eli and Peyton...they throw footballs!
-the senior Kenny Drew-who made many Blue Note sessions classic(eg:"Dexter Calling",Dexter Gordon) was surely as proud of his son's talent at the keyboard,if not the gridiron. Although raised without his dad's physical presence at home-Drew had long since relocated to Europe-he knew his music and always had the records,at least. KDJ says he "grew up on them".While Herbie ,Chick and Oscar were early influences,it's the link to Bill Evans most evident in this recording. KDJ performs an original ,This One's For Bill,a gorgeous waltz that gets in your head-and stays there. Laurie/TTTT ,both by Evans,features the saxophone of Ralph Moore on the uptempo TTTT. Drew shines on this especially,demonstrating his personal take on a tune Evan often played with his later trios. The date closes with a heartfelt solo performance of When You Wish Upon A Star-which,of course,indirectly references the trio performance of Someday My Prince Will Come on Evan's PORTRAIT IN JAZZ in 1959. The ten tracks also include excellent versions of Thelonious Monk tunes,In Walked Bud and Monk's Mood,the latter a solo performance.
With musicians George Mraz and Al Foster on the fine trio tracks-along with Christian McBride and Winard Harper on the 5tet pieces-Kenny Drew,Jr. put together a date in 1991 with some well-recorded performances that make this obscure release worth looking for-while his tune This Ones For Bill makes it a keeper.
Charles
