Teddy Edwards


Theodore Marcus Edwards was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.

Biography

Edwards was born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States. He learned to play at a very early age, first on alto saxophone and then clarinet.
His uncle sent for him to come to Detroit to live because he felt opportunities were better. Due to illness in the family, he went back to Jackson and ventured to Alexandria, Louisiana. He was persuaded by Ernie Fields to join his band after going to Tampa, Florida. Edwards had planned to go to New York City, but Fields convinced him he could get there by way of Washington, D.C., if he worked with his band. Edwards ended up at the "Club Alabam" on Central Avenue in Los Angeles, which later became his city of residence.
Edwards played with many jazz musicians, including his personal friend Charlie Parker, Roy Milton, Wynonie Harris, Vince Guaraldi, Joe Castro and Ernie Andrews. A 1947 recording with Dexter Gordon, The Duel, was an early challenge to another saxophonist, an approach he maintained whenever possible, including a recording with Houston Person. One such duel took place in the 1980s at London's 100 Club with British tenor Dick Morrissey. In 1964, Edwards played with Benny Goodman at Disneyland, and at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Edwards performed and recorded with Tom Waits. He toured with him on the Heart Attack and Vine tour, and played to a packed Victoria Apollo in London with Waits and bassist Greg Cohen. The 1991 album, Mississippi Lad, featured two tracks with Waits, and Waits covers the Edwards-written ballad "Little Man" on his Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards collection.
In 2003, Edwards died at the age of 78 in Los Angeles of prostate cancer, with which he had been diagnosed in 1994.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Frank Butler
  • Wheelin' and Dealin
With Joe Castro
  • Groove Funk Soul
With Sonny Criss
  • Sonny's Dream
With Richard "Groove" Holmes
With Milt Jackson
With King Pleasure
  • Golden Days
With Hank Jones
  • Ain't Misbehavin
With Julie London
  • Feeling Good
With Shelly Manne
  • My Son the Jazz Drummer!
With Les McCann
With Howard McGhee
With Freddie Redd
With Max Roach and Clifford Brown
With Jimmy Smith
  • Bluesmith
With Leroy Vinnegar
  • Leroy Walks! – includes Gerald Wilson on trumpet
  • Leroy Walks Again!!
With Randy Weston and Melba Liston
  • Volcano Blues
With Gerald Wilson
  • You Better Believe It!
  • Moment of Truth
  • Portraits
  • On Stage
  • Feelin' Kinda Blues
  • ''The Golden Sword''