Piano | 1928-1993

Born Kenneth Sidney Drew in New York City on 28 August 1928, Kenny Drew became one of jazz's most underrated pianists, known for his bebop style and versatility as sideman and leader. Beginning classical piano at five and giving his first recital at eight, he attended the High School of Music & Art before shifting to jazz. Influenced by Bud Powell, he made his recording debut in 1950 with Howard McGhee, followed by collaborations with Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Buddy DeFranco, and Dinah Washington. He led many sessions throughout the 1950s, appearing on John Coltrane's Blue Train (1957), Jackie McLean's Jackie's Bag, and Sonny Rollins's Tour de Force.

In 1961 Drew relocated to Paris, then moved to Copenhagen in 1964, becoming house pianist at Jazzhus Montmartre and establishing himself as centre of an African-American expatriate jazz colony. He formed a long partnership with Danish bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, recording extensively on SteepleChase and backing visiting Americans including Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, and Booker Ervin. Drew noted that living in Copenhagen allowed him to work in more diverse contexts than New York. He died on 4 August 1993 in Copenhagen, survived by son Kenny Drew Jr., also a jazz pianist. A Copenhagen street was later named Kenny Drews Vej in his honour.