"An eclectic talent" Washington City Paper, 3/28/03

During his career which began in 1955, Eddie toured extensively performing in West Africa, North and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. In addition to Bo Diddley and Orquesta Novel, he worked as a freelance violinist (nightclub, studio, symphonic, television and theatre) with various groups and artists including:

Charanga America*, Paul Anka, Eddy Arnold, Pearl Bailey*, Ray Barretto*, Orquesta Broadway*, Tony Bennett, David Benoit, George Benson, Les Brown*, the Vi Burnside Quintet, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Los Chavales De Espana*, Don Costa*, Kid Creole & the Coconuts*, Celia Cruz*, Sammy Davis Jr., “Duke” Ellington, Jose Fajardo*, the Fania All Stars*, Aretha Franklin, Steve Lawrence & Edie Gorme*, Isaac Hayes, Englebert Humperdinck, Tipica Ideal*, La India*, the Jackson Five, Tom Jones, the Wynton Kelly Trio, the Kennedy Center Orchestra, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Patti La Belle, La Lupe*, Hector Lavoe*, Pupi Legarreta*, Israel “Cachao” Lopez*, Lorin Maazel*, Henry Mancini*, Johnny Mathis, John Mauceri*, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Liza Minnelli, Melba Moore*, Luis “Perico” Ortiz*, the Osmond Brothers, Johnny Pacheco*, Lou Perez*, Ray Price, Charlie Pride*, Tito Puente*, Louie Ramirez*, Smokey Robinson*, the Richmond Symphony, Tito Rodriguez*, Diana Ross, Charanga 76*, Frank Sinatra, Frankie & the Spindles*, SOJA*, the Spinners, the Stylistics, the Supremes*, the Temptations, the Urban Philharmonic*, Ike & Tina Turner*, Dionne Warwick*, Barry White, Andy Williams*, Buster Williams*, Roger Williams, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder …

*Denotes recordings or telecasts  

Throughout the 1970s Eddie composed, arranged and produced hits (R&B, funk, disco, Latin jazz and salsa) for Marti, TR, Fania, Casablanca and Bullseye records, including LET’S DO THE LATIN HUSTLE (Eddie Drennon & BBS Unlimited), GET DOWN DO THE LATIN HUSTLE (Eddie Drennon & BBS Unlimited), DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO (Eddie Drennon & BBS Unlimited), LAST NIGHT CHANGED IT ALL (Esther Williams), which have been sampled by hip hop artists (such as Jamiroquai, Tupac Shakur, Biz Markie, Grandmaster Flash…). Orquesta Novel (previously known as Orquesta Tipica Novel), the legendary-iconic charanga and salsa ensemble, recorded several Eddie Drennon tunes including WITH A TOUCH OF BRASS, SALSA BOOGIE and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE. On numerous occasions Eddie collaborated with the great producers of salsa, Louie Ramirez, Luis “Perico” Ortiz and Barry Rogers. As music director and composer for Everyday Theatre, Washington, DC, (1986-1997), Eddie participated in the creation of plays addressing youth issues. Messages were emphasized and sometimes completely delivered via rap, song and dance. One of these pieces, TORN FROM THE HEADLINES, was a 1997 Helen Hayes Award winning musical play. Eddie also scored a scene for the 1993 Clint Eastwood movie IN THE LINE OF FIRE. 

At the dawn of the 21st century, Eddie Drennon compositions provided the foundation for the following songs:        
SINCE I LEFT YOU - by the Avalanches -   
contains a sample from LET’S DO THE LATIN HUSTLE 
FREAKY GIRL - by Shaggy -
contains a sample from GET DOWN DO THE LATIN HUSTLE

Three versions of DISCO JAM, composed by Eddie during his Casablanca years (1976-79), are currently (2009) enjoying a revival.
6/28/10... Two of Eddie’s Afro Cuban Jazz Fusion albums, CHARANGA CHICAGO (1977 La China LP 701) and EDDIE DRENNON AND CHARANGA SOUL (1983 Kim K 741) have been released on a single CD titled CHARANGA CHICAGO AND CHARANGA SOUL (Alma Latina 446982). Due to contractual obligations (1976 -79), Eddie is listed as Eddie Dee on the CHARANGA CHICAGO album. Eddie is also listed as Eddie Dee on SALUD, DINERO Y AMOR (Orquesta Novel, Fania JM 00520) and several other albums.
“With arrangements and production by Eddie Dee, this spicy recording offers a superb package of Latin and American standards treated with creative salsa rhythm. Excellent and danceable. Terrific sound!”
-Record World, 8/19/78 Charanga Chicago album review

Eddie Drennon (born Edward Allen Drennen in Newark, NJ)
Variants: Eddie Drennan, Eddie Drennen, Eddy Drennon
Edward Drennan and Edward Drennon

Eddie Drennon & BBS Unlimited (1975)

Orquesta Novel (1970)

Eddie is featured in Sam Bardfeld’s critically acclaimed book
LATIN VIOLIN: How to play Salsa, Charanga and Latin Jazz Violin.

“Eddie Drennon, supremo violinista y el genio detrás la legendaria Orq. Novel (the great violinist and genius behind the legendary Orquesta Novel)”
              - LA HISTORIA COMPLETA DE LA FANIA, por Tommy Muriel

“They have fallen back on the modern charanga formula patented by Tipica Novel, whose great fiddler Eddie Drennon is featured here (and on Orquesta Broadway’s album as well)... Instrumental work overshadows the vocals as Drennon whips off a burning solo”
             -Downbeat, 4/19/79, Orquesta Broadway/Tipica Ideal record reviews

“The mega-massive hit ARREPIENTETE… intensity, fine singing, a great and highly characterful and expressive violin solo by American master-violinist Eddie Drennon…”
-Amazon.com, 5/31/09 CD review for Pasaporte: Orquesta Broadway

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