It would take a bushel full of adjectives to accurately describe Bernie Edstrom and his trumpet playing. Let's start with irrepressible, buoyant, power-packed, hellzapoppin, hard-driving, commanding, full-throttle, indomitable, eloquent and sometimes very lyrical. Edstrom's technique is formidable, certainly. And his energy is contagious. But it's Bernie's spirit that really sets him apart. Nobody's more hyped about playing music than this cat. Nobody has a bigger ball onstage, or relishes a musical challenge more than Edstrom. Edstrom's a true jazz believer with unflagging faith. He never gives listeners less than 100%.
Edstrom's been in the Twin Cities for decades. But every time he opens his mouth, out comes a big blast of Boston. We're fortunate to have this torchbearer for the hard bop tradition, this spiritual heir of Dizzy, Maynard, Miles, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Dorham-all great trumpeters-in our midst. Edstrom could have stayed in Beantown, where he graduated from the illustrious Berklee College of Music, and jammed with all the heavyweight cats. Bernie still goes back there occasionally for jazz clinics.
The trumpet and flugelhorn man could have just as easily wound up in the Big Apple. Or out in sunny Las Vegas, where Edstrom's been known to contact and lead small groups-quartets and quintets. But instead, Edstrom's happily ensconsed in the Land of Lakes, fronting a terrific quartet called MOVE.
Edstrom could also be found leading the DEY Big Band, with Debbie Duncan and pianist Adi Yeshaya. Or playing jump blues and string with a past line-up of the Solid Senders. Or engaging in intimate duets with the great Bobby Peterson at the piano. Then again, you have have witnessed Edstrom corralling the Jazz Composers Art Ensemble, a big band devoted to playing all original music. He was also the one of the guys navigating and nailing the tough and transcendent music of the late Charles Mingus, in the tribute Mingus band. "Playing with Mingus's drummer, Dannie Richmond--now that was a thrill," Edstrom recalls, with pride.
For several years, Bernie was instrumental in the making every night a packed Sunday night at Bunkers Music Bar and Grill as the leader of the Mick Sterling and the Stud Brother Horn Section. As varied as Bernie's career has been, the one constant is his uncompromising faith and dedication for jazz that really rings his bell.
Edstrom has been director of the Twin Cities Youth Jazz Camp since 2001. He has brought with him some of the top jazz performers in the Twin Cites. The week long series of sessions are filled with creativity, inspiration and hard work. Class starts each day at 9:00 a.m. sharp and ends no sooner than 3:00 p.m. each day. Edstrom leads the teachers and the students with clarity and passion.
**Excerpts of this column are from Tom Surowicz's column about Bernie Edstrom in the TWIN CITIES JAZZ NOTES
Administrative and Musical inquries:
Bernie Edstrom
763-542-8880
BEdstrom@bitstream.net
Promotion, Fundraising and Volunteer Questions:
Mick Sterling
763-458-2747
Mssongs@aol.com