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Billy Drewes
Billy Drewes has been creating music, composing, performing and recording since the mid 1970s. His main instruments include soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinets, flutes, drums, percussion and piano. Featured on over 150 CDs with performance credits worldwide, he continually searches out new avenues for creative expression.
Billy shares the stage with Joe Lavano, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian and Tonincho Horta at the venues from Egypt to Cuba, Israel to Africa, New York's Carnegie Hall to Albert Royal Hall in London.
In addition to his love of performing, he takes great interest in the education of college and high school students. Teaching music as a total art form. Billy participates in clinics and seminars around the world with the goal of extracting from gifted students their hidden talents for musical improvisation and composition.
It was clear at the early growth of Billy's musical career that his serious commitment to music could be manifested in the form of improvisation compositionally and while/when? performing. His creative imagery has been a huge part of the many concerts, recordings and multimedia projects throughout his career.
Billy Drewes was born on Long Island, New York in 1952. After a wonderful period of development in his years, he moved to Boston in 1970 where new areas of musical possibilities were defined. His intense involvement with many different avenues of music molded him into the creative artist he is today. While in Boston he worked with Tony Bennett, The Boston Symphony and Gary Burton. He also lead a number of his own bands.
A big move back to New York City in 1975 propelled him into new musical aquaintances such as Kenny Werner, John Scofield and Joe Lavano. Upon arriving in New York, he immediatly joined the bands of Lionel Hampton, Eddie Paimieri as well as other serious leaders. Soon after, he toured with Woody Herman doing ocncerts and clinics.
The creative energy of the late 70s was great for Billy and his wide circle of musical friends. The explosion of new ideas extended into the 80s at which time Billy joined Paul Motion's band, which included Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell. They toured Europe and the US and recorded the album, "PSALM" for ECM Records. This period lead to a musical relationship with Lyle Mays (of Pat Metheny's Band) with whom Billy performed concerts and recorded albums. New and exciting projects were now becoming part of a daily groove for Billy. The eclectic range of work kept things fresh and uplifting.
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John Yao: Off-Kilter
by Mark Corroto
In all great ensemble recordings one pays no attention to the compositions and arrangements. The music just seems to dance without inhibitions and flow over the ears. Correction: excellent ensemble performances compel one to recognize and appreciate the compositions and arrangements. With composer, arranger, trombonist John Yao both statements are true and both are in opposition to each other. Proof being Off-Kilter, the second release by his Triceratops ensemble. It follows How We Do (See Tao Recordings, 2019) and includes ...
read moreGui Duvignau: Baden
by Dan Bilawsky
Gui Duvignau has had Baden Powell's sound in his sights for some time now. Born in France and raised in Brazil, the rising-star bassist delved deeply into that legendary Brazilian guitarist's work at the behest of several six-stringer friends. And as he studied guitar too, Duvignau came under the sway of Powell's advanced harmonic concepts, personalized technique and keen ability to skirt easy categorization by blending classical stylings, jazz sensibilities and a broad mixture of Brazilian traditions. Having then performed ...
read moreAtlantico: A Stovepipe Hat Made From Silk
by Mark Sullivan
This album by the European/American quartet Atlantico co-led by French jazz pianist Sebastien Paindestre and U.S. reed and woodwind player Dave Schroeder completes the band's planned triptych, following New Easter Island (La Fabrica'son, 2019). For this sequel they are joined by acoustic bassist Mike Richmond (replacing Martin Wind) and drummer John Hadfield (replacing Billy Drummond). Tenor saxophonist Billy Drewes (who had played on one track on the last outing) guests on four tracks, expanding the group to a quintet.
read moreGui Duvignau: 3,5,8
by Glenn Astarita
As a youngster, French bassist Gui Duvignau was exposed to several disparate cultures and musical forms thanks to his adventure seeking parents' relocations to Morocco, Brazil, Portugal and back to Paris before landing in Boston, MA., to attend the Berklee School of Music, and subsequently ending up in New York City. Duvignau advises that in his early musical endeavors he found rock music less challenging than jazz. Hence, on this effort with well-known jazz warriors, saxophonist Billy Drewes and drummer ...
read moreMike Holober: Hiding Out
by Angelo Leonardi
Un decennio dopo Quake (Sunnyside 2009), l'arrangiatore e bandleader Mike Holober riporta sotto i riflettori la newyorchese Gotham Jazz Orchestra in uno scintillante doppio compact che raccoglie due ricercate composizioni ("Flow" in tre movimenti, “Hiding Out" in cinque) e tre brani medio-lunghi (tra cui il delizioso “Caminhos Cruzados" di Jobim in due versioni). Come è ovvio che sia, l'organico registra alcune sostituzioni. Tra i nuovi ingressi il trombettista Marvin Stamm, i sassofonisti Jason Rigby e Bill Drewes, il ...
read moreMike Holober and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Hiding Out
by Jerome Wilson
Mike Holober is a celebrated composer and arranger who has worked for ensembles like the Westchester Jazz Orchestra in New York and the WDR and HR Big Bands in Germany. He is also the leader and founder of the Gotham Jazz Orchestra which here makes its first appearance on record in ten years. Holober makes this return a fruitful one, coming up with a 2CD set featuring two long suites, both with themes involving American landscapes. The first ...
read moreMike Holober and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Hiding Out
by Jack Bowers
Mike Holober has been Hiding Out rather openly for the past ten years or so, waiting for the proper time to gather together his world-class Gotham Jazz Orchestra and record for the first time since 2009's widely acclaimed album Quake (Sunnyside), in which his picturesque compositions and arrangements were compared favorably to those of Duke Ellington and Gil Evans, to name only two. In the interim, Holober has hardly been sitting on his hands, serving time as director of New ...
read moreKendra Shank Quintet w/Billy Drewes @ Jazz Standard, August 14
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
"...effervescence...depth...integrity..." -Nate Chinen, NEW YORK TIMES
KENDRA SHANK QUINTET Returns To THE JAZZ STANDARD Tuesday, August 14 ~ 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
Kendra Shank voice/kalimba ~ Billy Drewes saxophones Frank Kimbrough piano ~ Dean Johnson bass ~ Tony Moreno drums
116 East 27th Street, New York City (between Park & Lexington) $20 Admission, No Minimum 212-576-2232
On August 14, The Kendra Shank Quintet returns to The Jazz Standard where their March CD release concert brought the house ...
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