Dave Edwards (musician)
Encyclopedia
Dave Edwards was an American big band
-style musician
who most notably was the lead alto saxophonist and multireedist
for the long running, weekly Lawrence Welk Show on T.V. for over a decade from 1968 through 1979.
, Alabama
and raised in Tuskegee, his family later moved to Fairhope, Alabama
. He attended Auburn University
where he played the saxophone and the reeds with the school's Auburn Knights Orchestra
; Edwards would later try to complete his education at California State University, Los Angeles
during the late-1980's while residing in Burbank. Out of school from Auburn University
(having left college early) he would play on the road with Richard Maltby
and then the Glenn Miller Orchestra
before being drafted into the United States Army
and stationed with the NORAD band in Colorado Springs, CO.
and play in the the American/Canadian, joint armed serves NORAD Commanders Jazz Band along side future Lawrence Welk Show musicians Richard Maloof
and Johnny Zell
. Stationed in Colorado Springs, CO, this unit became one of the elite musical groups of the armed forces during the Cold War
/Vietnam era
due to the plethora of talented, young musicians being drafted into military service. Edwards would first meet long time musical associates Dave Wolpe, Warren Luening, Bob Payne, and Larry Ford while stationed at Colorado Springs. He toured extensively with the NORAD musical groups to included appearances at Carnegie Hall
(May 1966), the Hollywood Bowl
and Disneyland (September 1966), Expo '67 - Montreal World's Fair, the Canadian National Exposition in Toronto, Canada(August and September 1967), the CBS
Mike Douglas Show, the Today Show, and NBC
's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
.
The Lawrence Welk Show
After being discharged from the United States Army
he moved to Los Angeles
and joined the Lawrence Welk Show orchestra in early 1968. In his first season with the show he replacing Mahlon Clark
on 2nd alto sax in the reed section and then moved later to playing the lead alto/reed chair with Russ Klein moving to tenor. Edwards performed on the Welk
weekly television show during the time of being with ABC-TV
(up to 1971) and then in syndication; he left in 1979 being replaced by reedman Skeets Herfurt
. The sax/reed section for the Lawrence Welk Show would finally be settled into having Edwards-lead, Dale-2nd, Cuesta
-jazz tenor/clarinet soloist, Klein-2nd tenor, Davis-baritone. During this time Edwards proved to be one of the finest lead alto players for big bands and orchestras of a generation being able to fit any style, display incredible consistency, and having total command of playing lead picollo/flute/clarinet/soprano sax or alto sax. The schedule for rehearsing and taping the show was rigid, constant, and sometimes hectic; the musicians were expected to play almost exclusively for the Welk
T.V. production rehearsals plus live taping (with studio audience) every week at the Hollywood Palladium
from 1968 to 1976, 1976-77 at the Hollywood Palace, and CBS Television City
from 1977 to 1979.
) for the 1980s T.V. show Moonlighting
. During this time he lived in Burbank, CA near NBC Studios
. While working in Los Angeles during the late 1960's, 1970's and 1980's Edwards played and recorded with a wide range of artists to include Ernestine Anderson
, Nat Pierce, Roger Neumann, Frank Capp
, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Madeline Vergari. Though his musical style could readily transform to the many venues or artists he played with, Edwards' personal saxophone playing was most heavily influenced by the alto saxophonists Charlie Parker
and Cannonball Adderley. This style was much better shown when Edwards had the rare oportunity to be featured (at length) in 1987 on the premiere of Charlie Richard's Suite for Alto Sax and Jazz Orchestra
.
Edwards later relocated in the 1990's to the Orlando, Florida
region (with his wife Phyllis and sons David and Charles) and continued to work for Disneyworld, several bands locally, and across the country. Edwards commented on the need to move away from the difficulties of living in the Los Angeles area and wanted to relocate back to the South.
Edwards died suddenly on August 12, 2000, from cardiac arrest
at the age of 59.
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
-style musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
who most notably was the lead alto saxophonist and multireedist
Multireedist
Multireedist is a term sometimes used to describe a musician who is a capable performer on more than one reed instrument. Many reed instruments are similar enough that if a musician plays one, they are expected to be able to play the other. Examples of this are the oboe and English horn or the...
for the long running, weekly Lawrence Welk Show on T.V. for over a decade from 1968 through 1979.
Early life, education, and growing up in Alabama
Born in OpelikaOpelika, Alabama
Opelika is a city in and the county seat of Lee County in the east central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area. According to 2010 Census, the population of Opelika was 26,477...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and raised in Tuskegee, his family later moved to Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, on a sloping plateau, along the cliffs and shoreline of Mobile Bay. The 2010 census lists the population of the city as 16,176....
. He attended Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
where he played the saxophone and the reeds with the school's Auburn Knights Orchestra
The Auburn Knights Orchestra
The Auburn Knights Orchestra is a jazz and swing big band based out of Auburn, Alabama, home to Auburn University, and is thought to be one of the oldest big band organizations in the world. Formed in 1930 at what was then known as API , the band organized to play for dances and other musical...
; Edwards would later try to complete his education at California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
during the late-1980's while residing in Burbank. Out of school from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
(having left college early) he would play on the road with Richard Maltby
Richard Maltby
Richard Maltby may refer to:* Richard Maltby, Sr. , American musician, conductor, arranger and bandleader* Richard Maltby, Jr. , Broadway lyricist and director...
and then the Glenn Miller Orchestra
Glenn Miller Orchestra
The Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
before being drafted into the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and stationed with the NORAD band in Colorado Springs, CO.
Armed Forces and NORAD band
While stationed at the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) during the 1960's, Dave Edwards would serve in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and play in the the American/Canadian, joint armed serves NORAD Commanders Jazz Band along side future Lawrence Welk Show musicians Richard Maloof
Richard Maloof
Richard Maloof is an American musician who played bass and tuba for the Lawrence Welk orchestra.He was born and raised by Cy and Lucille Maloofas, one of three children. Richard graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights, then attended Sacramento State University, Los Angeles City...
and Johnny Zell
Johnny Zell
Johnny Zell is an American musician, best known as a trumpeter from The Lawrence Welk Show, a musical, variety-show television series.-Early life and education:...
. Stationed in Colorado Springs, CO, this unit became one of the elite musical groups of the armed forces during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
/Vietnam era
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
due to the plethora of talented, young musicians being drafted into military service. Edwards would first meet long time musical associates Dave Wolpe, Warren Luening, Bob Payne, and Larry Ford while stationed at Colorado Springs. He toured extensively with the NORAD musical groups to included appearances at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
(May 1966), the Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
and Disneyland (September 1966), Expo '67 - Montreal World's Fair, the Canadian National Exposition in Toronto, Canada(August and September 1967), the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
Mike Douglas Show, the Today Show, and NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under the Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night....
.
The Lawrence Welk ShowThe Lawrence Welk ShowThe Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
1968-1979
After being discharged from the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
he moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and joined the Lawrence Welk Show orchestra in early 1968. In his first season with the show he replacing Mahlon Clark
Mahlon Clark
Mahlon Clark was an American musician who was a member of the Lawrence Welk orchestra from 1962 to 1968. His primary instrument was the clarinet....
on 2nd alto sax in the reed section and then moved later to playing the lead alto/reed chair with Russ Klein moving to tenor. Edwards performed on the Welk
Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1982...
weekly television show during the time of being with ABC-TV
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
(up to 1971) and then in syndication; he left in 1979 being replaced by reedman Skeets Herfurt
Skeets Herfurt
Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist....
. The sax/reed section for the Lawrence Welk Show would finally be settled into having Edwards-lead, Dale-2nd, Cuesta
Henry Cuesta
Henry Falcon Cuesta was an American-born musician who was a member of The Lawrence Welk Show. His primary instrument was the clarinet....
-jazz tenor/clarinet soloist, Klein-2nd tenor, Davis-baritone. During this time Edwards proved to be one of the finest lead alto players for big bands and orchestras of a generation being able to fit any style, display incredible consistency, and having total command of playing lead picollo/flute/clarinet/soprano sax or alto sax. The schedule for rehearsing and taping the show was rigid, constant, and sometimes hectic; the musicians were expected to play almost exclusively for the Welk
Welk
Welk is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Sierakowice, within Kartuzy County, Pomeranian Voivodeship, in northern Poland. It lies approximately south-east of Sierakowice, west of Kartuzy, and west of the regional capital Gdańsk....
T.V. production rehearsals plus live taping (with studio audience) every week at the Hollywood Palladium
Hollywood Palladium
The Hollywood Palladium is a theater located at 6215 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. It was built in a Streamline Moderne, Art Deco style and includes an 11,200 square foot dance floor with room for up to 4,000 people.-History:...
from 1968 to 1976, 1976-77 at the Hollywood Palace, and CBS Television City
CBS Television City
CBS Television City is a television studio complex located in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles at 7800 Beverly Boulevard, at the corner of North Fairfax Avenue...
from 1977 to 1979.
Later professional work and style
Edwards was prominent on movie and T.V. soundtracks and is most well known for playing the credits theme (soprano saxophoneSoprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
) for the 1980s T.V. show Moonlighting
Moonlighting (TV series)
Moonlighting is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989. The network aired a total of 66 episodes...
. During this time he lived in Burbank, CA near NBC Studios
NBC Studios
The NBC Studios in New York, New York is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, the historic GE Building houses the headquarters of the NBC television network, its parent General Electric, and NBC's flagship station WNBC , as well as cable news channel MSNBC.When NBC Universal relocated,...
. While working in Los Angeles during the late 1960's, 1970's and 1980's Edwards played and recorded with a wide range of artists to include Ernestine Anderson
Ernestine Anderson
Ernestine Anderson is an American jazz and blues singer. In a career spanning more than five decades, she has recorded over 30 albums. She was nominated four times for a Grammy Award. She has sung at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Monterey Jazz Festival , as well as at jazz festivals all...
, Nat Pierce, Roger Neumann, Frank Capp
Frank Capp
Frank Capp is an American jazz drummer.Capp was born August 20, 1931 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. He began playing with Stan Kenton starting in 1951 and remained with Kenton for some time. Later he joined Neal Hefti's group. He often accompanied Peggy Lee on some of her road dates and...
, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Madeline Vergari. Though his musical style could readily transform to the many venues or artists he played with, Edwards' personal saxophone playing was most heavily influenced by the alto saxophonists Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
and Cannonball Adderley. This style was much better shown when Edwards had the rare oportunity to be featured (at length) in 1987 on the premiere of Charlie Richard's Suite for Alto Sax and Jazz Orchestra
Diversions (CSULA album)
Diversions is a 1987 album released by the California State University, Los Angeles Jazz Ensemble, it featured the Charles Richard Suite for Jazz Orchestra which was premiered by Dave Edwards earlier that year. This group proved to be one of the finest college jazz orchestras of that era with...
.
Edwards later relocated in the 1990's to the Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
region (with his wife Phyllis and sons David and Charles) and continued to work for Disneyworld, several bands locally, and across the country. Edwards commented on the need to move away from the difficulties of living in the Los Angeles area and wanted to relocate back to the South.
Edwards died suddenly on August 12, 2000, from cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
at the age of 59.
Select discography
- 1966: The NORAD COMMANDERS, The NORAD Commanders Jazz Band (Columbia Records special issue)
- 1977: Music from New York, New York, Bill Tole
- 1987: In the Mood (original movie soundtrack)
- 1987: Live at the Alley Cat, Frank Capp
- 1994: Here's That Swing Thing, Pat Longo
- 1995: This Is My Lucky Day, Madeline Vergari
External links
- Dave Edwards' discography can be obtained at Dave Edwards (AMG discography)
- Dave Edwards' television credits can be obtained at the Internet Movie Database
- Dave Edwards and more about him with Lawrence Welk at Welk Musical Family