Drew Davidsen's Guitar Leads The Way On His Journey To Self-Diiscovery
“TRUE DREW” garners praise from his idol and reviewers as the first single climbs the charts
Towson, MD: An intimate musical portrait depicting the life and loves of a jazz man and his guitar, “TRUE DREW,” the fifth album from Drew Davidsen, was released today by Oznot Records and drew praise from Davidsen’s idol, contemporary jazz legend George Benson
George Benson
b.1943
guitar
. Radio’s introduction to the disc comes in the form of “Hi5,” a cool-toned electric guitar joint textured with Latin piano and clubby electronic swatches of synth that is currently ascending the Billboard chart.
Benson, whose landmark “Breezin’” album is one of Davidsen’s most important influences, said, “Drew Davidsen represents a fresh and new approach to the smooth jazz idiom. The elements are all there. His personality gives the music freshness. The addition of the flamenco influence to smooth jazz is something new. I suspect that Drew will be around a long time. What a great record.”
Setting what he sees and experiences to music, Davidsen’s compelling story entertains with each musical statement uttered using the voice of his guitar. Hailed as one of the 10 Hottest New Guitarists by Guitar Player magazine, Davidsen wrote or co-wrote seven tunes for the 12-song set on which he plays electric, acoustic, nylon and a custom made 24-fret Carvin guitar. He is an alchemist who mixes contemporary jazz sheen, funky R&B grooves, soulful blues-rock riffs and gospel inflections. Davidsen produced “TRUE DREW” with Norman Connors
Norman Connors
b.1947
, Eric Copeland
Eric Copeland
b.1963
keyboard
and Preston Glass in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. Among his noteworthy collaborators are Eric Marienthal
Eric Marienthal
b.1957
saxophone
, Bobby Lyle
Bobby Lyle
, Bob Baldwin
Bob Baldwin
piano
, Gerald Veasley
Gerald Veasley
and The Temptations’ Ron Tyson.
Early reviewers agree with Benson’s assessment of “TRUE DREW.” Here is a sampling of what has been written thus far:
“Drew Davidsen is, hands down, one of the most refreshing guitarists I’ve experienced in contemporary jazz to date.” —The Smooth Jazz Ride
“It’s a CD that artistically moves him closer to players such as Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny
b.1954
guitar
, George Benson, Earl Klugh
Earl Klugh
b.1953
guitar, acoustic
, Larry Carlton
Larry Carlton
b.1948
guitar
and Robben Ford
Robben Ford
b.1951
guitar
from whom he has drawn both inspiration and musical direction. Not only that, ‘TRUE DREW’ marks out Davidsen as a guitarist with rhythm and melody at his fingertips.” —Smooth Jazz Therapy
“His compositions are creative, his playing skillful, and his tone sweet. There’s no doubt he is more than capable of holding his own against the best in the smooth jazz marketplace, and with ‘TRUE DREW’, his fifth solo outing, he’s made an accomplished, interesting and considered album.” —Bass Players United
“Drew Davidsen’s star continues to rise, and it is very apparent this time out with these twelve tracks that truly deliver…There is a lot of great guitar and of course, ‘TRUE DREW.’” —Smooth Views
“The 12 tracker is a great little smooth jazz set.” —Soul and Jazz and Funk
