Trumpeter Edward Anderson dies at the age of 54

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

Edward Anderson’s early intentions were to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a pharmacist. In 1990 while attending Xavier University, he decided to alter his route and instead pursued his passion for jazz music. The trumpeter, a life-long resident of New Orleans, died on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at the age of 54.

Anderson was perhaps most widely recognized as the co-leader, along with keyboardist Darrell Lavigne, of the progressive jazz group Bleu Orleans, which they formed in 2000. The two were introduced by drummer Herman LeBeaux, who the trumpeter met while both were students at Xavier. “We just clicked,” Anderson said of Lavigne in a 2007 interview when the trumpeter was inducted into New Orleans Magazine’s Jazz All-Stars. The trumpeter produced Bleu Orleans’ debut, self-titled album that was released on his own Fertile Crescent Records label. Clarinetist Michael White and vocalist Leah Chase also released albums boasting the Fertile Crescent brand.

Anderson, though born in Chicago, Ill., grew up in New Orleans, the city from which his family hailed. As a student at Holy Cross Middle School, he signed up for saxophone. His fate changed when the van from Werlein’s music store delivered a trumpet instead. The young Anderson just went with it. Anderson took private lessons while attending Brother Martin High School and his first gigs were playing traditional jazz with Michael White and the Treme Brass Band.

Edward Anderson

“In reality, his interest was in more modern jazz – he never really was a tradition (jazz) musician,” remembers White, who met Anderson when he was in his Spanish class at Xavier. “He used to hang around and talk to me about jazz. He was struggling with the decision of going into music. He knew what he wanted and he gave up what could have been a promising career in pharmacy to take chances in the music world. He had a deep love and interest in music and especially jazz. It was a dominant thing in his life.”

After being blown away by what he heard and saw while attending the 1990 International Association of Jazz Educators convention, Anderson headed to the University of New Orleans to study with luminaries including Ellis Marsalis and Harold Battiste. After furthering his education at the Manhattan School of Music, Anderson hooked up with Battiste in 1996 to assist him with the resurrection of his famed record label AFO (All for One). It was an experience that was instrumental and inspirational for Anderson in starting Fertile Crescent. Anderson earned a doctorate degree from Louisiana State University.

Anderson’s musical journey included time spent in classrooms as an adjunct professor at Delgado Community College, Xavier University and in the public school system. He also acted as director of jazz programs at Dillard University and the Heritage School of Music. His horn blew strong at New Orleans jazz clubs like Sweet Lorraine’s and Snug Harbor.

“Ed was always a seeker of the real part of the music – the cultural aspect,” says saxophonist Aaron Fletcher, who first played with and ultimately joined Bleu Orleans when Anderson and his family evacuated to Los Angeles following Katrina. “Ed was always on the musical pulse – very honest. You could hear New Orleans DNA in his trumpet.”

Lavigne notes that nationally-renowned pianist/composer Patrice Rushen was instrumental in having Bleu Orleans do a series of concerts at the Jazz Bakery during the band’s stay in Los Angeles.

“Ed really aspired to be a composer and was a little different than most New Orleans trumpet players,” says Lavigne, adding that Ed thought it was time to unloosen the neckties and get rid of the suits. “We were kind of bucking the trend though the New Orleans influences were still there. Ed was a sweetheart – a teddy bear,” they keyboardist offers. “He touched a lot of people.”

Edward Anderson described the depth of his passion best: “Professionally and personally you realize how fortunate you are when you go to bed thinking, ‘I can’t wait to get started on tomorrow’s music journey.’”

Services for Edward Anderson were held on Friday, July 3, 2020 at the Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church.

This article originally published in the July 6, 2020 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.