Kenny Drew, Jr.

Although he bore the same name as his father, Kenny Drew, Jr. grew up under the care of his aunt and grandparents and never viewed Kenny Drew, Sr. as a musical role model. Classical training came from his mother and grandmother, after which he began performing in clubs while still a teenager. His first appearance on record came alongside Charnett Moffett, and subsequent work included collaborations with Stanley Jordan and OTB as well as sessions alongside Eddie Gomez, Sadao Watanabe, and the Mingus Big Band. At the 1990 Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Drew claimed first prize in the Great American Jazz Piano competition. His initial dates as a leader were issued by the Japanese imprint Jazz City; later releases appeared on Antilles, Concord—which documented a solo concert at Maybeck Recital Hall—and Claves. Kenny Drew, Jr. passed away at his St. Petersburg, Florida residence in August 2014 at the age of 56.