BIO (scroll down)
Drew Davidsen, currently a resident of Towson, Maryland is a multi-talented composer/guitarist and longtime session player who has appeared on nearly 30 high profile projects, has enjoyed a unique career whirlwind. Earning accolades across the board in the worlds of urban jazz and gospel and being named one of the “Ten Hottest New Guitarists” in Guitar Player Magazine’s influential Reader’s Poll.
Drew’s first solo album, This Journey, a self-produced project that releases a fresh and dynamic, perfectly “in the pocket” set of 12 melodic and coolly grooving originals. Saxophonist Dave Krug graced the studio and co-wrote the title track, and Eric Washington plays some PHAT chords on the boards too. Recently Drew was asked by Eric Copeland to come aboard as the newest artist on Creative Soul Jazz Records and is re-releasing This Journey—which is not only worth a second look, but is truly one of the most compelling indie urban jazz discs of the past few years.
Davidsen also just released a few preview tracks online for this next project produced by Eric Copeland. The first of which is the high energy, feel good, top down, sun in your face travel tune “Astro” and the second, an easy grooving, electronic-tinged “Bounce.” Both aptly show that for Davidsen, the exciting journey continues! This record features legendary bass player, Gerald Veasley, Dave Krug on sax and pianist Jay Rowe from the band special EFX. Eric Copeland will also be on the record as well as a host of great session players too, Dan Needham and Gary Lunn to name a few.
With a smile that starts at the corners of his mouth and reaches across the room, Drew Davidsen draws the audience into his experience giving them more than just a performance. A frequent performer at the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Fest, Drew was recently invited to play the Grand Jam Party by jam session host, Gerald Veasley. Drew shared the stage with Nick Colionne, Eric Darius, Steve Oliver, Jason Miles, and Bobby Lyle.
From the Beginning
From an early age Drew was trained classically at the Peabody Conservatory on the cello but his interest in rock and jazz guitar grew as his father took him to see live performances by Ray Charles, BB King and Ella Fitzgerald. Drew spent many summers at different music camps playing in orchestras. Soon, the cello was replaced with the bass guitar. After high school, Drew joined the Navy and during his tour of duty picked up the guitar again, but this time lead & rhythm guitar while listening to Benson, Petty, Costello and other favorites.
Drew's first band, The Aces, a pop trio was now starting to write originals. Band mates, Matt Lane ..boards and John Lane on drums encouraged Drew to tap into his own writing. Thereafter, he cut his teeth in the ska band Regatta 69 and Touch, an R & B group. In 1995 Drew joined the Notlaw Record label as the lead guitar player for the Richard Walton Group in Baltimore and this gave Drew a lot of freedom to write and experiment and grow as a guitarist. Since then Drew has been a very popular session guitarist having recorded and participated in numerous high profile projects including a very special recording of a CD titled Live at Blues Alley.
