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Kenny Drew

1928 – 1993

American-Danish jazz pianist

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About Kenny Drew

Lived 1928 – 1993 (aged 64). Kenny Drew was an American pianist, jazz musician, composer and musician.

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

Biography Drew was born on August 28, 1928, in New York City, United States, He attended the High School of Music & Art in Manhattan. His first recording, in 1950, was with trumpeter Howard McGhee, and over the next two years Drew worked in bands led by Buddy DeFranco, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Charlie Parker, among others.

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

Drew died in August 1993 in Copenhagen, Denmark,

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

Playing style Drew's style was described in The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz as "precise" and his playing as being a combination of bebop-influenced melodic improvisation and block chords, including "refreshingly subtle harmonizations".

Discography As leader/co-leader Recording date Title Label Year released

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
High School of Music & Art
Also known as
Kenneth Sidney "Kenny" Drew, Kenneth Sidney Drew

People in Kenny Drew's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Kenny Drew's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kenny Drew?

American-Danish jazz pianist (1928–1993)

When was Kenny Drew born?

Kenny Drew was born on 28 August 1928 in New York City.

When did Kenny Drew die?

Kenny Drew died on 4 August 1993 in Copenhagen.

What was Kenny Drew's occupation?

Kenny Drew was a pianist, jazz musician, composer and musician.

What nationality was Kenny Drew?

Kenny Drew was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Kenny Drew

· Wikidata: Q721315

· DBpedia: Kenny Drew

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kenny Drew. https://biography.guide/kenny-drew/

MLA: "Kenny Drew." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kenny-drew/.

Chicago: "Kenny Drew." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kenny-drew/.

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