Home » Member Page
Benjamin Drazen
About Me
Benjamin Drazen is a native New Yorker, and grew up in Roslyn, NY. He
got his frist great jazz saxophone education from the late great Dave
Burns. (Dave was a master trumpeter with the Dizzy Gillespie and Duke
Ellington Orchestras as well as leading his own groups) A graduate of
the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, Mr. Drazen studied
with such legends as Jimmy Jiuffre, George Garzone, John McNeil, and
Celil McBee. He also studied with the great Dave Liebman just before
returning to NYC. From these influences Benjamin has crafted his own
jazz style coming out of the traditions of Charlie Parker, Cannonball
Adderley, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.
Since being back in NYC in 1995, Benjamin has performed alongside
some of jazz's best including, Rashied Ali(John Coltrane's Drummer
1965-67) George Garzone, Gene Jackson, Ron McClure, Lew Soloff,
Santi Debriano, Marvin Bugalu Smith and Ron Affif. He performs
regularly on the New York scene with his own quartet, playing original
and standard compositions. Benjamin has performed as a leader and
sideman in New York's most acclaimed jazz clubs including: The Blue
Note, Birdland, Smalls, Mintons Playhouse, Smoke, Cornelia St. Cafe,
The Knitting Factory, 55 Bar, and Sweet Rhythm. In addition he has
worked all over The United States and Canada as a leader and sideman.
Although Jazz has been Benjamin's forte, he also is a lover and
performer of many types of music including Funk, R&B and Salsa. He
has performed with such legends as Clarence Clemons of Bruce
Springsteens E St. Band and Jimmy Sabater. (Joe Cuba, Tito Puente)
and Stephanie Renee from Jill Scotts Group.
Mr. Drazen currently resides in Manhattan, NYC where he continues to
lead his own quartet. His debut CD entitled Inner Flights on the Positone
label will be released March 1st, 2011. Benjamin is currently a member
of the Peter Fish Group, Chris Masseys Nue Jazz Project, Charlie
Persips Big Band Supersound and is a sideman with several NYC
small jazz groups. Benjamin is also an active private saxophone teacher
sharing his love of his instrument and jazz to his many students.
Recent recordings include; Marvin Bugalu Smith Quintet, Chris Masseys
Vibrainium, Brooke Sofferman's Symposium, Peter Fish Group Live
at the 55 Bar, Laurent Medelgi's Diverses and Marlon D's Love is the
key.