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, the1st 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 her 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 is also performing at the Williamsburg Inn 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.
Have Bass will play, have voice will sing.