Kentwood — East Kentwood High School junior Drew Warren remembers watching a live nativity scene during a Christmas program at a church when he was 4 years old.
Alongside the shepherds and wise men, a musician played a solo on a saxophone. Drew was struck by the powerful sound of the bluesy instrument.
“I was like, ‘Wow, that’s something I really want to do,’” he recalled.
Drew, who had the opportunity to begin playing in the Pinewood Middle School band in sixth grade, picked up the horn and found his niche.
His love for the instrument and Christmas music have stayed with him, coming together harmoniously in his first album, “Drew’s Christmas,” a compilation of Christmas songs including “This Christmas,” “Mary Did you Know,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
“Christmas songs were some of the first songs I started learning,” Drew said. “The first one I ever learned by myself was ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’” The album features that traditional 1940s melody, played in the arrangement by the late musician Luther Vandross.
“His arrangement is real smooth, real calm, where you can sit back and close your eyes and feel like you’re in the Christmas spirit,” Drew explained. “It’s snowing, you have hot chocolate and it’s really calm.”
Drew began planning the album four months ago in the recording studio in his house. He used GarageBand to record and edit, and did all the producing himself. The album is available for free on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, iHeart radio and Amazon Music.
“It was really cool being able to do it and go through the process. I learned a lot from it, time management-wise, and I learned new techniques.”
Plans are in the works to create a second album of original songs.
At East Kentwood, Drew plays in the marching band, concert band and concert orchestra. He is also in a band called Ebony Beats and a jazz combo. He has played the National Anthem at school sporting events and performed during a Black History Month event.
He also plays clarinet, drums, bass and piano; when it comes to saxophone, he plays alto, tenor and soprano, and hopes to learn baritone.
“Drew is a gifted and dedicated musician who has consistently impressed with his talent and musicality,” said Michael Gozzard, East Kentwood band director. “Despite his young age, Drew plays with remarkable musical maturity, displaying an understanding of the deeper emotional nuances of his instrument and music he performs.”
Drew said he loves the saxophone’s versatility.
“The saxophone can be used in different ways and genres. You can use it in jazz, which is more smooth and sub-tone, where you get that more airy sound. You can also use it in pop music. I do both.”
A Musical Entrepreneur
Drew started his own business, Drew play sax productions, in 2023. He plays gigs around Grand Rapids, performing at parties, weddings and other events. He currently runs the business as a one-man show, with hopes to expand it to include deejaying, photography and video production. He also is on the Falcon News Network crew.
“I want Drew play sax productions to be a major company you can call for anything,” he said.
His plans include venturing far and wide. He spent last summer touring Europe with Blue Lake International, where he played jazz in France, Germany and Denmark.
“I want to tour the world again,” he said. “I want to play for different people and diverse crowds. I also want to bring more attention to jazz in Grand Rapids.”
After graduation, Drew plans to major in jazz in college at a historically Black college or university or Western Michigan University.
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