My name is Joseph Edwards, and I'm a 20 year old junior attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). I just released my second project, The People's Gathering, produced by acclaimed Minister of Music Phillip Carter.

Now to get to this bio...Let me start off by saying, I've been blessed in this life. I don't know why God's kept me this far...but for whatever reason I'm still here. I've been playing sax for 11 years. Music is my wife of the moment (until Halle Berry regains her senses and comes back to me).

My love of music started way back yonder...in the 4th grade at Kettering Elementary School in PG County, Maryland. My grandfather bought me my first sax, and I will forever be grateful to him for that. From there, I played in as many bands as possible...practiced as much as possible...and tried to develop my ear to the best of my ability. Having a father who had approximately 3 trillion records (and by records, I mean real records) helped with that. I used to just sit downstairs and do my best to play along with the greats...Grover Washington Jr, Miles Davis, Stanley Turrington, Chick Corea, the list goes on and on...

Once I started developing my ear, I began looking for different avenues to express myself musically. I'd always gone to church (FBC North Brentwood), but I never saw myself playing in the church band...honestly didn't think I was good enough for that. But the minister of music at the time (producer Phillip Carter) decided to take a chance on me. I've been playing at church ever since. In addition, a major part of my musical career took place at my high school, DeMatha. There (under the leadership of phenomenal conductors Jim Roper and John Mitchell), I learned much about the more classical side of music. There I played in the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble. During my four years at DM, I studied under legendary saxophonist (and head of Jazz Studies at University of MD, College Park) Chris Vadala. Mr. Vadala was an extraordinary teacher who helped to develop my ear and sense of improvisation.

Now for some more shameless self promotion :) As I said above, I just released my second recording. Entitled “The People’s Gathering,” the album takes listeners on a musical journey through numerous genres and eras…from the funky, Stevie Wonder inspired “1972,” to the traditional gospel stylings of hymns like “Blessed Assurance.” I once heard heaven described as a place where we are gathered to our people. That’s a powerful image for me. As we produced this album, I kept imagining a place where everything is right with the world…a place where you’re surrounded by friends and family, yes…but more importantly by God’s love. With this album I wanted to conjure an image of heaven. I wanted to (as best I could) give people my vision of love through music.

The album is dedicated to my great-grandmother (otherwise known as “Nana”), She's been the bedrock of my family for quite some time (97 years...good googly moogly!) Her love and prayers have kept me (and numerous others) going.

I hope that you enjoy my music. In an era of no-talent artists who clog the radio with filler (a hem…anybody solely concerned with degrading women, drugs, and gun talk), I sincerely (and humbly) hope my music provides a welcome relief. I’m trying to return to an era where soul ruled the airways. Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Lauryn Hill where art thou??? If you want to know more about me, please don’t hesitate to contact. But until then, I’m gonna stop writing…and you’re gonna check out my music :)

The album can be bought on...