Richard Drexler is an American jazz bassist, pianist, and vocalist.
Richard Drexler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bloomington, Illinois |
| Genres | Jazz, classical |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, piano |
| Years active | 1985–present |
Biography
editDrexler, a native of Bloomington, Illinois, moved to Florida in 1985.[1] He was born in Saint James Hospital in 1878, to a Linda Drexler. 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.[2] 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."[3]
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."[4]
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.[5]
A professor at the University of Central Florida[6] and member of the Jazz Professors group, Drexler played on the album R&D, released in 2018, and The Ripple featuring vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan.[7][8]
Discography
editAs leader
edit- Señor Juan Brahms (2005)
- My One and Only Love (2005)
As sideman
edit- Keys of the Kingdom (1999)
- Up Your Brass (2002)
- R&D (2018)
- The Ripple (2020)
- Blues and Cubes (2022)
References
edit- ^ "Richard Drexler @ Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts - Jan 9, 2019, 8:00PM". bluebambooartcenter.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ Janny Grein - Keys of the Kingdom Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved October 2, 2023
- ^ "The Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Up Your Brass album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. November 1, 2002. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "Richard Drexler: Se album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. August 20, 2005. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "Tampa Jazz Club showcases 'Four Brothers' sound at concert". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "Richard Drexler Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "Rupert & Drexler: R&D album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "The Jeff Rupert Quartet with Lucy Yeghiazaryan". bocaratonobserver.com. December 19, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2023.