As a musician, arranger, and songwriter, Neil Edwards has more than 30 years in the music industry.  Born on Long Island, New York, his interest in music began at an early age at the behest of his mother.  Intrigued with the saxophone, Neil trained his ears by learning to play popular songs by Funk and R&B bands such as B.T. Express, Crown Heights Affair, Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Commodores to name a few.  Later, Neil played cover tunes by some of the most influential contemporary jazz artists such as Grover Washington Jr., one of Neil’s biggest inspirations, The Crusaders, Ronnie Laws, and Hubert Laws. 

As Long Island didn’t have a lot of avenues to learn the finer points of jazz at that time, Neil was elated when a group of local jazz musicians and theatre artists started the International Art of Jazz (IAJ), whose purpose was to give those students with advanced skills a place to further enhance their abilities.  This association with such an advanced level of musicianship inspired Neil to pursue an education at the well known Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.  While attending Berklee, Neil was introduced to a whole new level of playing, meeting the likes of Branford Marsalis, Walter Beasley, and Kevin Eubanks.  During his time at Berklee, Neil studied arranging and composition, as well as honing his skills in performance.  After a few years at Berklee, Neil returned to New York where he continued his studies at SUNY Old Westbury and rejoined the New York music scene, playing with local talent at various venues.