Clarence Lacquese Penn (born March 2, 1968) is an American jazz drummer and composer.
Clarence Penn
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|---|---|
| Birth name | Clarence Lacquese Penn |
| Born | (1968-03-02) March 2, 1968 (age 56) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Website | clarencepenn.com |
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]
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]