Clarence Penn
Clarence Lacquese Penn (born March 2, 1968) is an American jazz drummer and composer.
Clarence Penn | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Clarence Lacquese Penn |
| Born | March 2, 1968 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Website | clarencepenn.com |
Early life
Penn was born in Detroit on March 2, 1968.[1] He started playing the drums aged around eight.[1] In 1986, while still at high school, he attended the Interlochen Arts Academy.[1] He started studying at the University of Miami in Florida in 1986, but transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University.[1]
Later life and career
At Virginia Commonwealth, he studied with Ellis Marsalis, and played in the pianist's trio from 1987 to 1991, including for a tour of Japan in 1990.[1] Penn graduated in classical percussion in 1991.[1] He was part of vocalist Betty Carter's trio from around 1990 to 1993.[1]
Penn later worked with David Sanchez, Jimmy Smith, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Scott, Greg Hatza, Stanley Clarke, Tim Warfield, Bob Berg, Diana Krall, Cyrus Chestnut, and Stephen Scott.[1] In 1997, he recorded his debut album, Penn's Landing, for Criss Cross Jazz.[2] Some of the tracks were composed by Penn.[2] His second album as leader, Play-Penn, was recorded four years later.[2]
Discography
As leader
- Penn's Landing (Criss Cross Jazz, 1997)
- Play-Penn (Criss Cross Jazz, 2001)
- Saomaye (Universal, 2002)
- Dali in Cobble Hill (Criss Cross Jazz, 2012)
- Kind of Trio (Forced Exposure)
- Monk: The Lost Files (Origin)
References
- Kennedy, Gary W. "Clarence Penn". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2nd edition). Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
- Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 1140. ISBN 978-0-14-103401-0.