Well, I don't mean to just post about those people who've died, but Teddy Edwards' death holds a special meaning for me because for the past two summers I've been a member (violinist) of the National Jazz Orchestra of Detroit and Teddy was our headliner both summers. It was a wonderful experience to work with him. He was a gracious man with great wisdom and a beautiful sax sound--he will be missed.

From the Detroit Free Press (www.freep.com):
"For nearly 60 years, tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards was as much a part of Los Angeles as freeway congestion. In fact, Edwards, a key first-generation bebop musician who died Sunday in Los Angeles at age 78, was so closely identified with the West Coast that even hard-core jazz aficiaonados were unlikely to know that he owed his life in jazz to Detroit. . ."

"Longtime fans noticed a decline in his playing last September (at the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival). . .but there was never mistaking Edwards for anyone else. 'I was an independent thinker, and that caused me to play different. . .Until this day I never really copied anybody'"

RIP..I met him a few times. He was gracious enough to play at a friends housewarming in Culver City. Always a mainstay at the Jazz Bakery too. RIP T.