Teddy Edwards

In the closing years of the 1940s, Teddy Edwards stood alongside Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray as one of the leading young tenor saxophonists. He differed from his peers by deciding to stay based in Los Angeles, which contributed to his being overlooked over time, even as he maintained exceptional playing ability into his seventies. His career began with tours alongside Ernie Fields' Orchestra, followed by a relocation to Los Angeles in 1945 where he performed on alto saxophone with Roy Milton. Upon entering Howard McGhee's group, Edwards transitioned to the tenor saxophone and participated extensively in the period's jam sessions, including a notable 1947 recording of "The Duel" shared with Dexter Gordon. Though a born leader who took on short stints with Max Roach & Clifford Brown in 1954, Benny Carter in 1955, and Benny Goodman in 1964, as well as 1960s collaborations on recordings with Milt Jackson and Jimmy Smith, Edwards' most compelling showcases of both his instrumental skills and compositions came through his solo releases on labels including Onyx from 1947 to 1948, along with Pacific Jazz, Contemporary during 1960-1962, Prestige, Xanadu, Muse, SteepleChase, Timeless, and Antilles. Among these, "Sunset Eyes" stands as his most recognized original composition.