TROMBONIST, BANDLEADER, EDUCATOR ROBERT EDWARDS

ROBERT EDWARDS is a jazz trombonist and bandleader in New York City. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, his schooling at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts exposed him to trombone giants Wycliffe Gordon and Bill Watrous, who helped peek his imagination of what’s possible on trombone.

Robert’s studies began at the University of North Florida in 2003, where he studied undergraduate trombone and piano. In 2006, he transferred to New Jersey City University to continue his pursuit of trombone. He studied under Pete McGuiness and Joe Magnarelli. After graduating from New Jersey City University in 2008, he obtained his master’s degree at The Juilliard School in 2010, where he studied with Steve Turre.

Robert won the 2018 Detroit Jazz Festival’s Curtis Fuller Low Brass/Trombone Competition, where he was awarded a performance slot on the Main Stage. Other professional highlights include tours with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Big Band and Roy Hargrove’s Big Band and performing at the Village Vanguard with the Village Vanguard Orchestra for a week. Robert plays the lead trombone in the Steven Feifke Big Band, Eyal Vilner, Glenn Crytzer Orchestra, and the Danny Jonokuchi Big Band. Robert also composes, arranges, and sings with his 10-piece big band at notable clubs such as Birdland Jazz Club, the Django, and Swing 46. The Robert Edwards Quintet has performed regularly at the legendary Smalls Jazz Club for five years.

Robert has been a professor of jazz trombone at New Jersey City University and Queens College since 2019. He has five records under his name as a leader and co-leader. “Play Date” (2019), “Home Life” (2021), and “It Had To Be You” (2022) were made with frequent collaborator and vocalist Vanessa Perea. “Sound Business” (2010) and “Upswing” (2023) are recorded solely as a leader.

Robert Edwards is a King Trombone artist.

Source: Robert Edwards Website