Billy Edwards - Jazz Trumpeter

Photo by Fred Burnett

Bill began an interest in music from an early age when he started playing piano and harmonica inspired by such greats as Louis Armstrong, Harry James, Bunny Berigan and Bix Beiderbecke. At the age of fifteen he took up the trumpet and cornet, playing with the Birkenhead Silver Prize Brass Band working his way up from 3rd. and 2nd. to 1st. cornet in less than two years. By the grand old age of eighteen he had joined the R. A. F. as a musician and was on 1st. cornet in the Military Band and 1st. trumpet in the Big Band as well as playing jazz with a smaller group.

Upon leaving the R. A. F. he furthered his musical career in small and big dance bands and played jazz for a number of years around Liverpool at various venues such as The Mardi Gras Jazz Club and the Cavern Club. This experience paved the way for the the next eighteen years when he became a professional Cabaret Artist (Entertainer) playing all over the country and, indeed, the world. Included were tours of Germany and Turkey as well as a seven months season in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria where he appeared at the Copa Cobana and the Bowler Hat night clubs. From there he was engaged to appear in two very successful Summer seasons in Jersey, a season in Margate, a Mediterranean cruise to Gran Canaria as well as various seasons in Blackpool. Bill has also appeared on TV and radio.

He was featured twice on ‘Opportunity Knocks’ as a soloist and as a member of a band; on piano on ‘Coronation Street’ and on other TV shows such as a series of plays called Second City First - with the Saturated Seven Jazz Band. He is currently playing as a freelance musician and soloist as well as with regular bands - Parade, River City, Red River Jazz Bands, Tony Davies and the Ken Binns Band, Terry Perry Big Band and the Hywel Williams Dance Band. Over the years he has had the privilege of working with a great many professionals: Kenny Baker, Roy Williams, Digby Fairweather, John Barnes, Alan Barnes et al. Hence, the Pendle Jazzmen are thrilled to welcome such a distinguished and brilliant player as our special guest! - Colin Mason