Education
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, TN
- Naval Academy School of Music
Background
Recognizing his talent, in 1957 Eddie Edwards entered the All Army Vocalist Competition and won first place in all the preliminaries in the Caribbean Command, Panama Canal Zone. The Finals were held in Fort Dix, New Jersey: there he won once more to claim first place in the final All Army Vocalist competition. His reward was an invitation to appear on the Ed Sullivan Television Show and perform with the Ray Block Studio Orchestra and visit the Count Basie Studio.
Eddie has been performing professionally on the String Bass since 1958. He taught himself how to play the String Bass to accompany his singing. In 1963 he was assigned to Fort Knox Kentucky. There he performed with different groups but remembered a wonderful musical experience with Bob James at the Art Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 1964 he was assigned to Fort Sill Oklahoma. CWO4 Gorden Walliman, Band Master of the 97th Army Band, heard him perform on the String Bass and made him an offer he could not refuse: If he could learn the Major Scales, the arpeggios, the 1st and 2nd inversions in all twelve keys on the tuba in three weeks and learn the National Anthem, orders would be cut to transfer him into the 97th Army Band. Once more his talent and his ability to use it was challenged, so he had to step up to the plate and hit a home run, and he will always remember this gentleman as long as he lives. Mr. Walliman was also responsible for Eddie's acceptance into the Naval Academy School of Music,where he graduated with a major in Tuba and a minor in String Bass.
After graduation Eddie was assigned to the 55th Army Band at Redstone Arsenal,Alabama where he played Tuba in the Marching Band and Concert Band. He played String Bass in the Jazz Band, Dance Band and Jazz Combos.
In 1971 Eddie retired from the United States Army and moved to Atlanta Ga. His first gig was with the Larry Mack Duo. He played Bass with him for about nine months, then formed his own Trio and became the house Band at Pasco's Lacarossel. Freddy Cole came by the club one night and asked him if he would like to join his group. Eddie felt like that was a great honor and opportunity, so he became a member of the Freddy Cole Trio and performed in night clubs and concerts across the country and in cities all over the world as well as recorded several albums during their fourteen year relationship.
Eddie has performed with great musician such as Jimmy Dorsey, Chat Baker, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, Dekoda Staton, Ike Cole, Bob James, John Dulik, Marty Schwartz, to name but a few. He continued to perform professionally while pursuing a degree in Music Education. During this time he has received numerous honors and awards, such as the "Delta Cup for Excellence" and a listing in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities". He joined the Connie Parker Quartet in 1991 and in 1993 began a career as an Instructor and Consultant on String Bass for Hampton University.
Eddie is presently teaching at the College of William and Mary. He also performs regularly with the Now & Then Trio. He has been a member of this great Trio for more than five years. He also performs with other musicians at the Tides Inn, in Irvington, Va.
Eddie says: "I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with my students. I feel like I am giving something back to the community. I love to see people learn new ideas. I also love to see talent progress and students learn something they want to learn. I am writing a method book to introduce my teaching methods."
Content taken from Eddie's website, www.weejazz.com.