Esmond Edwards (Producer)

[prestontw]

Hi,

Some more exciting news I thought I'd share with fellow board members - I spoke with the widow of the late Esmond Edwards tonight!

Esmond Edwards is one of my personal jazz heroes - but for those for those of you who didn't know was trailblazing and pioneering African-American record company executive/record producer/a&r man for Prestige , Chess/Argo,Verve/MGM and finally, Impulse. Bob Weinstock gave him his start as a clerk/photographer in 1957 for Prestige - before he essentially took over as A&R man/house producer shortly thereafter. He then produced Coltrane's first side for Prestige amongst a slew of great sides before moving on to Chess/Argo in 1962 where he perfected the 'soul jazz' sound. I contend that Edwards has not received the proper acclaim and historical recognition that is due to him as a seminal jazz producer - he certainly is the equal of figures such as Alfred Lion, Francis Woolf etc..

I've been researching and documenting the life of Edwards for a potential blog project -

and I reached out to some of his family members last week. Finally tracked down his widow

in Santa Barbara - and had a warm and friendly conversation with her tonight. Fortunately,

she was very receptive and open to a project on Esmond Edwards' life in jazz and beyond.

I'm so excited - she mentioned that there's a huge amounts of photographs, personal papers

to use as source material for a future big project. Stay tuned...

I also just completed three long interviews with John Wright - and I'll try to transcribe them when I have the time. You can visit my blog for the gist of what

John said - he had some very interesting things to say about his experiences dealing

with Weinstock!

best

trevor

[Hardbopjazz]

Good luck with your project.

[medjuck]

Hi,

Some more exciting news I thought I'd share with fellow board members - I spoke with the widow of the late Esmond Edwards tonight!

Esmond Edwards is one of my personal jazz heroes - but for those for those of you who didn't know was trailblazing and pioneering African-American record company executive/record producer/a&r man for Prestige , Chess/Argo,Verve/MGM and finally, Impulse. Bob Weinstock gave him his start as a clerk/photographer in 1957 for Prestige - before he essentially took over as A&R man/house producer shortly thereafter. He then produced Coltrane's first side for Prestige amongst a slew of great sides before moving on to Chess/Argo in 1962 where he perfected the 'soul jazz' sound. I contend that Edwards has not received the proper acclaim and historical recognition that is due to him as a seminal jazz producer - he certainly is the equal of figures such as Alfred Lion, Francis Woolf etc..

I've been researching and documenting the life of Edwards for a potential blog project -

and I reached out to some of his family members last week. Finally tracked down his widow

in Santa Barbara - and had a warm and friendly conversation with her tonight. Fortunately,

she was very receptive and open to a project on Esmond Edwards' life in jazz and beyond.

I'm so excited - she mentioned that there's a huge amounts of photographs, personal papers

to use as source material for a future big project. Stay tuned...

I also just completed three long interviews with John Wright - and I'll try to transcribe them when I have the time. You can visit my blog for the gist of what

John said - he had some very interesting things to say about his experiences dealing

with Weinstock!

best

trevor

Hey I live in Santa Barbara! If I can be of any help let me know.

[GA Russell]

Sounds interesting!

[Christiern]

I knew and worked with Esmond at Prestige. He was a super guy—I look forward to reading the results of your search. Esmond took many pictures—I think photography was something he really was into, and he certainly had opportunities to get some great shots.

[marcello]

Trevor, give us a link to your blog.

[brownie]

This is exciting news indeed!

A previous thread

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

can u share w/ us a little what she told us about the prestige days?

[epistrophy007]

Exciting news!

j.

[AfricaBrass]

I look forward to reading your blog. It's neat finding out the stories behind the names I've seen on albums and it's great that you are honoring Edwards in this manner.

Edited March 13, 2012 by AfricaBrass

[monkboughtlunch]

I'd love to hear this unreleased session produced by Edwards. Does it exist in the MCA vaults? Or did it perish in the 2008 Universal fire? Will it ever see the light of day?

"Baby Face" Willette, organ;

remainder of personel unknown

1. When Lights Are Low

2. After Hours

3. Soul Elevation

4. Get To Steppin'

5. I Got A Woman

Produced by Esmond Edwards

Recorded October, ?? 1965 by Ron Malo

© 1965 Cadet Records

Source: Ruppli