Richard Drexler Explained

Background:non_vocal_instrumentalist
Richard Drexler
Birth Place:Bloomington, Illinois
Genre:Jazz, classical
Occupation:Musician
Instrument:Bass, piano
Years Active:1985–present
Associated Acts:Woody Herman Orchestra, Kenny Drew Jr.

Richard Drexler is an American jazz bassist, pianist, and vocalist.

Biography

Drexler, a native of Bloomington, Illinois, moved to Florida in 1985.[1] He appeared as a pianist and sideman on Janny Grein's album Keys of the Kingdom in 1999, which received 3 stars and an album pick from AllMusic. He entered the jazz genre as pianist on Dan McMillion's album Up Your Brass and was described by critic Jack Bowers as "surely one of Florida's best."[2]

In 2005, he released his first album as leader, Señor Juan Brahms, with Bob Mintzer on saxophone, Kenny Drew Jr. on piano, and Alex Acuña on drums, featuring standards and jazz arrangements of Johannes Brahms compositions. The album was notable for "blur[ring] the distinctions seemingly separating classical, jazz, and Latin American music" and for writing the album's program notes in which he requested that listeners "listen to recordings of the original versions of all these pieces to hear the context and omitted material."[3]

In 2018, Drexler joined Harry Allen and the Four Others as the band's pianist, a tribute to Woody Herman's Four Brothers saxophone ensemble. The new group included Allen, Lew del Gatto, Jeff Rupert, and Saul Dautch as the four saxophone players.[4]

A professor at the University of Central Florida[5] and member of the Jazz Professors group, Drexler played on the album R&D, released in 2018, and The Ripple featuring vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan.[6] [7]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Richard Drexler @ Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts - Jan 9, 2019, 8:00PM . 2023-10-02 . bluebambooartcenter.com.
  2. Web site: 2002-11-01 . The Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Up Your Brass album review @ All About Jazz . 2023-10-02 . All About Jazz . en.
  3. Web site: 2005-08-20 . Richard Drexler: Se album review @ All About Jazz . 2023-10-02 . All About Jazz . en.
  4. Web site: Tampa Jazz Club showcases 'Four Brothers' sound at concert . 2023-10-02 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  5. Web site: Richard Drexler Musician - All About Jazz . 2023-10-02 . All About Jazz Musicians . en.
  6. Web site: 2018-10-09 . Rupert & Drexler: R&D album review @ All About Jazz . 2023-10-02 . All About Jazz . en.
  7. Web site: 2022-12-19 . The Jeff Rupert Quartet with Lucy Yeghiazaryan . 2023-10-02 . bocaratonobserver.com . en-us.