Glen Drewes
Glenn Drewes, West Babylon Class of 1967, grew up on Bermuda Road. He began playing piano at the age of eight and trumpet in the sixth grade. He was inspired at an early age by his teachers Barry Titone, Ed DeIulio, Shirley LeVann and Wally Alesse. His mother was an assistant cook for West Babylon Schools and his brother Billy, Class of 1970, is also a world renowned musician.
Glenn is one of the most ‘In-Demand’ trumpet players on the New York City freelance scene today. His diverse career has spanned the likes of jazz greats Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinsen, and Mel Lewis, to today’s pop artists, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Harry Connick, Jr., David Sanborn and Sean Combs (Pi Diddy).
In addition to being heard on hundreds of jingles, feature films, network award shows and sports themes, Mr. Drewes can be heard on the popular children’s TV show, “Sesame Street”. At special live concert events, Glenn accompanied Lena Horn, Liza Minelli, B.B. King, Frank Sinatra at Carnegie Hall, among others.
He appears on the albums of Puff Daddy, Bette Midler, Luther Vandross, Harry Connick Jr., Liza Minelli, David Sanborn, Lionel Hampton, Jane Horricks (on The Further Adventures of Little Voice), and Ricky Martin (playing on She Bangs).
Glenn gives back as a mentor in many ways, serving as a clinician for high school and college festivals and as a faculty member at the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut) and C.W. Post University (Long Island, NY).
Most recently Glenn has played lead trumpet on the hit Broadway production “Chicago” featuring his own jazz quintet. He also has played in Sweet Charity, Guys and Dolls, City of Angels, Side Show, Fosse, Once Upon A Mattress, Young Frankenstein and the 2004 one night concert of Hair. Since 2006 he has been with the Birdland Big Band and is its current leader.