Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Ice dragon - Image Hosting
Norman Paul Edwards Jr. was born on March 15, 1985 in Cambria Heights, Queens New York. Norman was exposed to music at a young age due to his father, who played drums in his teenage years and even played with Stevie Wonder in Church, and a mother who played music from her radio that ranged from Aretha Franklin and Earth Wind and Fire to Run DMC and Anita Baker. He began playing drum set at the tender age of four and received lessons thru his father. As Norman grew up he began playing in church, where he learned first hand about keeping time, utilizing dynamics and learning music orally. He studied his father's technique and guidance to begin playing in Church at age 10. In the next phase of Norman's musical journey, he began middle school in Bayside Queens where a school Jazz Ensemble needed a drummer. Norman wanted a chance to play something a little different than gospel (though he loves it), and the school jazz band would be the right move to make. With the help of his grandfather's collection of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Dave Brubeck, Norman was able to get an understanding for jazz. He began the Middle School 74 Jazz Ensemble in 1997 and gained a new love and respect for jazz music. After he graduated from Middle School 74, Norman's band director Mr. Peter Archer introduced him to The Center for Prepatory Studies in Music at Queens College. It is a program dedicated to training young students the art of music whether classical or jazz. The program was running a summer jazz camp, and Norman was ready to take his learning of jazz to the next level. Through his parent's wishes and scholarship from CPSM, Norman began his time at CPSM as a jazz drummer, where he first learned, Theory, Harmony, Jazz Jam sessions, and jazz drum basics such as feathering the bass drum and hi-hat on 2 and 4. He also studied jazz piano which his parents encouraged and helped his composing. Norman would continue to be apart of CPSM from the summer of 1999 to spring 2003, and worked there from spring 2004 till fall 2005. In the year 2000 Norman transferred from West Hempstead High School to the Fiorello H. LaGuardia of Music and Art and the Performing Arts. Norman says, " This was an absolute dream come true, I never jumped so high in the air. In LaGuardia, I was home." During his stay at LaGuardia, Norman received experience not just in Jazz Ensembles, but also Concert bands, and Symphony Orchestra as a tympanist and percussionist. He found a new love, the vibraphone as well as his first teacher in this field Gary Fogel who ran the recording studio. He was apart of LaGuardia's Award winning Jazz Band at The Essentially Ellington Competition at Lincoln Center, played in the All- City Jazz Band as a drummer and vibraphonist, increased his musicality on the drum set and played many gigs. It was here that he also met Justin DiCioCio and learned about the Manhattan School of Music. Norman received a live audition to the school in March 2003 and went in there a young man ready to take on the challenge of getting into this prestegious school. " I went in there ready to do my thing, I handed the music out and sat down at the drum set ready. I played like my life depended on it. It felt right. Then when I left, I was SO NERVOUS! Norman received a letter the next month accepting him to the school as well as a large award of scholarship for his audition. When Norman began his training at the Manhattan School Of Music, he would have never imagined all the great musicians, mentors, and friends he would make and start careers with. He began his funk group SLIQ here at the school playing at the school functions. He was able to play Vibes in all 3 large ensembles as well as the Jazz Philharmonic. He became the main drummer as well as vibraphonis in the Afro- Cuban Jazz Orchestra. He has played in Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Club B.B Kings, MAKOR, and other clubs and venues because of the school. Norman has now graduated from th Manhattan School of Music and will continue his Master's Degree. Norman is currently playing with The Robbyn Tongue Band, The Kelly Nagata Powers Trio, his band SLIQ, Shareef Clayton, jazz guitarist Rudy Linka, and other projects. He has also caught the producing bug and has been working with Apple Logic Academic Pro making beats, smooth jazz and great music. Norman still continues to play drum set and vibes as well, look out for upcoming projects with maybe a vibe quintet in the mix. Stay tuned and get down.