Richard Drexler
BornBloomington, Illinois
GenresJazz, classical
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass, piano
Years active1985–present

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.[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

As leader

  • Señor Juan Brahms (2005)
  • My One and Only Love (2005)

As sideman

  • Keys of the Kingdom (1999)
  • Up Your Brass (2002)
  • R&D (2018)
  • The Ripple (2020)
  • Blues and Cubes (2022)

References

  1. ↑ "Richard Drexler @ Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts - Jan 9, 2019, 8:00PM". bluebambooartcenter.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  2. ↑ Janny Grein - Keys of the Kingdom Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved October 2, 2023
  3. ↑ "The Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra: Up Your Brass album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. November 1, 2002. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Richard Drexler: Se album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. August 20, 2005. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Tampa Jazz Club showcases 'Four Brothers' sound at concert". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Richard Drexler Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Rupert & Drexler: R&D album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ "The Jeff Rupert Quartet with Lucy Yeghiazaryan". bocaratonobserver.com. December 19, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
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