Kenny Drew Trio - Tokyo (1976)

Studio Broadcast 

Tokyo March 1976

Kenny Drew: Piano

Niels-Henning-Orsted Pedersen: Bass

Billy Higgins: Drums

Jackie McLean: alto sax (tracks 4, 5, & 6)

6 tr.

Radio Broadcast

Zone E

Kenny Drew - For Sure (1981)

Kenny Drew recorded two Xanadu albums in two days during one of his very rare visits to the United States after he moved to Europe in 1961. This rare quintet outing (with altoist Charles McPherson, trumpeter Sam Noto, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Frank Butler) features Drew playing at the peak of his powers. The material (four originals by the pianist plus two obscurities) is strong, is sometimes quite boppish and contains plenty of variety. This out-of-print LP was underrated at the time and is worth searching for. (Scott Janow)

Kenny Drew - piano

Charles McPherson - alto sax

Sam Noto - trumpet

Leroy Vinnegar - bass

Frank Butler - drums

6 tr.

Zone E
Check availability on EBay

Kenny Drew Trio - Season's Greetings (1996)

Merry Christmas times everyone!

Kenny Drew - piano

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen - bass

Alvin Queen - drums

9 tr.

38:14

Zone E

Bosko Petrovic Quartet (feat Kenny Drew) - Tiffany Girl (1986)

"It was a nice Sunday afternoon; a beautiful late October day in Zagreb. Autumn in Zagreb (not New York). The recording session was supposed to last until 10 in the evening, but by 6 we had already recorded all the material for the album. Everybody was satisfied. We listened to the tape once more

"Here you got yourself a nice record, Bosko" says Kenny. "Sure did", agreed Alvin.

"What will be the title of the album?", asked Peter while packing his bass.

For a moment I hesitated, then suddenly I said, "Let's call it after my song 'Tiffany Girl. Everybody agreed.

The fact is, that Kenny, Alvin, Peter and I used to meet regularly at a beautiful Zagreb restaurant called Tiffany. But these session were mostly for gastronomic reasons... Naturally, between good meals, we also discussed good music. We recalled our first meeting: Kenny and I met for the first time in the early 60's in Paris at the Blue Note, with Kenny Clark and Johnny Griffin. Alvin and I met ten years later in Munich at The Domicile, with Charles Tolliver. And young Peter and I met a year ago at the Zagreb Jazz Fair. We had many anecdotes to share; most of them about the famous Jimmy Woodie. Occasionally I would mention the need to rehearse for the upcoming recording session. Kenny would always interrupt and ask: - "Why do we need a rehearsal? Can't you see we are good together?" Actually, we were indeed very good together, specially talking, eating and drinking. So, comes judgement day: Sunday, the day of recording. It's three o'clock and here we are at the recording studio in Radio Zagreb. I decide to start off with "Jazz Mama", the most complex song, with a lot of tempo and meter changes. Also, it's supposed to be a good opportunity to Mladen Skalec, the sound engineer, to find the right sound for the group. And a miracle happened: the second take of "Mama" was OK. In the next 30 minutes, we did two one-takers: "Whisper Not" and "Green Lobster Dream". Notice what a "spicy dressing" Kenny added to a well-prepared (by Pete and Alvin) lobster.

Next came the title song. The Alvin solo turned out great. As we finished, Alvin let out a very happy, enthusiastic YEAH! that we left in the record. - "We buy this one", said producer D.M. - "OK, let's have a break," says Kenny, "I'm thirsty." During the pause Alvin and I listened to "Tiffany Girl" one more time. We were both happy and satisfied. Two versions of the beatiful "My Funny Valentine" followed. Later, while mixing, the sound engineer and I decided to leave on the record both vibraphone solos simultaneously. I found this a nice and quite rewarding effort, something like a conversation with

And for the end, there's a beatiful John Lewis song, "That Slavic Smile", dedicated to his wife Mirjana. And, again, one-take only.

By now, we are all very thirsty. It's time to go back to Tiffany."

(Bosko Petrovic)

Bosko Petrovic, vibes

Kenny Drew, piano

Peter Herbert, bass

Alvin Queen, drums

01   4:30  

02 10:15

03 6:05 

04 5:05

05 6:05

06 7:05

Buy from good retailers