When JD is not playing solo, he shares the stage with Mike Ormonde on guitar, Jesse Ives on bass, Matt Robins on percussion, Troy Strattner on drums, John Kirouac on sax & flute, Alex Campbell on organ and piano.
"These Days" - JD Edwards Live at the Gas Station Theater
"Eastern Breeze" - JD Edwards Live at the Gas Station Theater
"Rose" - "JD Edwards Live at the Gas Station Theater"
Influences
My folks, and our families (extended and further), my 239 crew, all the girls we have loved before, Bruce Cockburn, John Martyn, The Allman Brothers, JJ Cale, NQ Arbuckel, Cat Stevens, Jackson Brown, Mike Evin, Dave Mathews, Phish, One Step Beyond, Haden, Sarah Harmer, The Indigo Girls, Sam Bush, Fred Wesley, Ben Harper, Turin Brakes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Allice Cooper, Jeff Buckley, Karl Denson and his Tiny Universe, Marvin Gaye, Travel Agent, David Crosby, Neil Young, Nick Drake, George Harrison, The Pharohs, Tribe Called Quest, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Bob Seger, Stan AND Nathan Rogers, The Black Crows, Led Zeppelin, Kid Koala and Bullfrog, Chicago, G Love and the Special Sauce, JJ Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, DJ Greyboy, The Canadian Brass (but mostly Gene...he was my fav), CBC Radio my whole life growing up...almost everyday, The Rheostatics, Lowest Of the Low, The Lemonheads, The Pursute of Happiness, The Kids in the Hall, TTH, every song I ever sang in church, at camp or somewhere with my folks and Mrs. Allard (she taught how to sing with other people, grade two)
This list will most likely grow as I remember all who have influenced me and all who continue to do so and who will in my future. When I make music I draw from everywhere I can. My inner most thoughts to whatever is on the surface at that time. My family and friends and my environment around me. I have firm belief that this influence that we all receive, is a river flowing through us all.
Sounds Like
A friend once said that if you took country music and fused with funk and jazz you would here JD Edwards or what was later dubbed "FUNKTRY". This music is funky country! But for those of you who need someone to relate too, here goes...Dave Mathews Band, Blind Melon, James Taylor, Beatles, Paul Simon. How about that?
The JD Edwards Band is sometimes a five-piece electric folk-rock experience and other times it is a laid back acoustic group that is quickly becoming a ripple in the Canadian music scene. Through incessant gigging and innovative groovy song-writing, JD Edwards is breaking through the barriers of mediocrity and giving Canadian listeners something to dance about. The band’s sound is a synthesis of Blind Melon’s funk and The Black Crowes’ blues, while JD sings with the stoned sexiness of Dave Matthews and the orgasmic outbursts of Ben Harper. They manage to musically acknowledge their influences without compromising their ingenuity or principle; JD Edwards and his bands will take you on a new adventure in a familiar place every time.
“…The night began with J.D. Edwards, a solo guitar player with a voice so intense you can see the passion of music he has flowing out of him. I was most impressed with the movement and energy he showed on stage - always swaying about, not seeming to sit still and showing how much he feels the music. With J.D., you could tell he played with his whole body and soul…” Gabby D’Angelo - The Argus - Lakehead University’s Newspaper
Born in Oshawa Ontario, JD Edwards lived and breathed music, playing and performing in all sorts high school plays and student bands alike. As time went on, however, he grew to feel that his home town didn't offer him what he was searching for musically, so he moved to Kingston, Ontario to study music and later to Toronto. JD lead a ten piece funk/rock outfit by the name Travel Agent and released, "Terminal 103" in 1999. But years passed and time intervened again as band members faded and the music took another turn.
In 2004, JD was performing mainly as a solo artist throughout the Toronto cafes and coffee houses. One night at the Kathedral, normally a heavy metal bar downtown Toronto, JD met Warren Steer at a open mic stage and the music started to move yet again. Warren, a bass player by night visual artist by day, introduced JD to Mitch Hall who completed the trio as the drummer. Unfortunately, the band played only a handful of gigs and recorded a couple of meager basement jams before tragedy struck the band in May of 2004. Warren Steer, 34 years old, had passed away in his sleep. RIP
As 2005 came to pass, JD found himself in mourning for the loss of his friend and music companion. The opportunity for a change in scenery was at hand. Figuring out that the Winnipeg music scene was something he wanted to be part of and place where he could begin again fresh, he grabbed his guitar and his dog and jumped on a plane for the prairies. Here he met self proclaimed “Guitar-Love-Maker,” Mike Ormonde, who then introduced JD to many other Winnipeg musicians and later to his current line up of players. Winnipeg proved to be a melting pot of musicians with all sorts of backgrounds. With such an eclectic mix of players JD had to work with, an eclectic sound was sure to follow. ??
Now, with more songs than you can shake a drum stick at, JD Edwards has been unleashing his energetic original repertoire across Canada. Already, in the infancy of the group, they have played with some of Canada's finest, including Hawksley Workman, The New Meanies, John K Samson, Coco Love, The Waking Eyes, The NODS, JP Hoe, Jessee Havey and the Quirks, Serena Postel and Patrick Keenan. They have made several appearances on CBC, 101.5 UMFM and 92.9 KickFM. ?
2008 saw the JD Edwards Band release their debut self-titled, full-length album, with Producer and Engineer Mike Wagner. And if that isn't enough, JD has also released "JD Edwards Live at the Gas Station Theatre", an acoustic recording from February 20, 2008 at The Gas Station Theater with some really good friends and producer Dan Donahue.
WHATUP GUYS!!!! Came by for a listen and to say hi!! Can't wait to see you all at Folkee!!!! Also, I might be through Winnipeg on Monday May 11th for a night on my way to Minneaplois! So I'm hoping to get a big click of WICKED PEEPZ out for a night of FUN!!! Keep it in mind and I'll confirm it soon, cause I'm not completely sure yet..... It's about 82%!! HOPE YOU GUYS ARE WELL!!! THE MUSIC IS SOUNDING SUUUUWEEEEEEEEEEET!!!! Can't wait to cross paths!!
Awsome sound .electric, ..Like the horns ..like the acoustic! Reminicent a little of The New Meanies,. Come check out some of my stuff when you find the time. Awsome ..keep up ..Elton Plett!!
Congrats on the My City / My Song contest you guys! It's always great to see you get the recognition you so greatly deserve. Can't wait for the upcoming shows especially Times Changed and Kings Head. Always a fantastic time.
Hey brother. Apologies for this extremely delayed response, but I've been trying to think of a good person for you to connect with down here to bring your band down south, and I honestly can't think of anyone in particular. I can give you a handful of clubs I've played, and clubs I think you'd be good at, and a few names that might be useful. I'll email you some info. I'm still trying to save enough to get up your way too. See you soon I hope!
Hey-hey JD! Looks like you finally got a hold of Claire ;) lol... awesome! James did pass a hello thank you - hope things are awesome in your world! oxo
haha! Is Miss Daisy makin' you her Jeeves? That girl. She's never really been the driving type I guess. Ah well. She'll come around. I might be seeing you guys soooooon.
Hey man! Dito. You sound amazing! I can't wait to meet you very soon. I hear you guys are on the road, I hope the tour is going great! We gonna have to pick and sang soon. Till then, take care of my sister ;-)
