Ernie Edwards

Paying tribute to a great musician is what this project is about. Edwards has been blind his entire life. One of his favorite artists is Erroll Garner. For years he listened and learned the style that made Erroll famous hoping one day to be able to play like him. Finally after connecting with two great talents, Ernie was able to pull together a tribute to Garner.

The Ernie Edwards Trio, featuring Ernie Edwards on piano. Jacob Webb on bass and Nathan Webb on drums, released their first recording dedicated to the late Erroll Garner. “One Good Turn” was recorded live at the Riverview Studios in Bordentown, NJ in April of 2010.

The selections were all performed in the style of Garner including an original written by Edwards and dedicated to Garner. Edwards, blind since birth, has spent his entire life listening to Garner, Shearing, Coles and many other greats that are commonly found in what is referred to as the Great American Song Book.

“Mack the Knife”, “Thanks for the Memory”, “Farewell to Paris” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street” are just a few of the classics performed by the Trio. Garner was well known for his distinctive right hand playing (almost like the strumming of a guitar) while he played the melody with his left. You will hear Edwards’s performance reminiscent of that style. Edwards even includes the Garner “slap” of the piano on “Left Bank Swing”, a Garner Original.

Rounding out the music are the Webb brothers, two young and very talented musicians who happened by chance to meet Edwards just a little more than a year ago. The Webb brothers are natives of Newton Kansas and Jacob is a student at William Paterson University while Nathan who is a recent grad from William Paterson University and currently teaches in the Paterson School district. Nathan also tours with Grammy award winner, Jazz Saxophonist, Kenny Garrett. Certainly, Edwards is in good company for this first known tribute to the late great Erroll Garner.

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