In the fall of 1998 he went to New York and performed at the World famous Apollo theatre, in Harlem. Also, while in New York he studied with acclaimed saxophonist, Joe Lovano. Returning from New York, he volunteered for 1yr at the Cleveland School of the Arts. In 2001, he returned to Berklee College for 5 yrs.
In Sept. of 2003, he went on the road with a play called "A Good Man is Hard to Find". Also at this time, he was touring with world renowned trumpeter "Lester Bowie." Eddie has also performed with and alongside such well known artists as Stevie Wonder, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Luther Vandross, Vanessa Rubin, Maysa Leak, Regina Carter, Dianne Reeves,Vesta Williams, Norman Connors, Miki Howard, Jean Carne, Angela Bofill, Phil Perry, Regina Belle, George Duke, Rhonda Smith, Gerald Veasley, Lenny Castro, Jeff Lorber, Bobby Lyle, Ricky Lawson, Horacio"El Negro"Hernandez, Giovanni Hildago, Najee, Sean Jones, Bobby Watson, Marcus Belgrave, Lester Bowie, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Regina Belle, Rachelle Ferrelle, Ronny Jordan, Gerald Veasley, Kim Waters, Grover Washington Jr. and many others.
Eddie is currently touring with "Pieces of A Dream." And has recorded Eight cd's with the group: "Pieces", "Ahead to the Past", "Soulful Embrace Vol.1," "Soulful Embrace Vol. 2," "Aquainted with the Night," & "Love's Silhouette," "No Assembly Required," and "Pillow Talk." Also performed on "Touch Me in The Morning." a Shanacie Records Compilation CD and recently "Smooth Jazz Plays Motowns Greatest Love Songs" which will be released Feb. 27th.Jackson Street Music Program presents and 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ welcomes JAZZ IN THE CITY’S Annual Celebration Of Seattle’s Jackson Street Music Community Celebrating the 2007 Jackson Street Music Community Honoree: Ms. Ernestine Anderson Starring Rachelle Ferrell and special Guests Pieces Of A Dream Benaroya Hall - February 9, 2007 Reviewed By Scott Nakatani---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------Whenever I drive down Jackson Street where it passes underneath I-5 in Seattle, I remember how my father always used to point out where there used to be a tailor shop, once owned by my grandfather. It was here in the back room of this tailor shop where my father was born. Close to being in and around the same area where the historical Jackson Street Music district once stood in Seattle during the 1940’s and 1950’s. This district was a gathering place for Seattle’s African-American community, which helped inspire the likes of musical icons such as, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, and this evening’s 2007 Jackson Street Honoree – Ms. Ernestine Anderson. The evening’s celebration started off with the infectious grooves of the musical talents of Pieces Of A Dream, who in turn were celebrating 30 years of performing together. Led out on stage by the original founding members: Curtis Harmon (drums) and James K. Lloyd (musical director, keyboards – stage left), they threw-down a tight 8 song 63 minute set of music. All dressed in various attire; the rest of the band consisted of David Dyson (bass), Gerard Gibbs (keyboards – stage right), and Eddie Baccus Jr. (saxophones, hand-held percussions) who’s independent solo CD is due to drop next month. In a well paced produced set, half of Pieces set was devoted to cuts off their current release “Pillow Talk†and the other half culling hits from their previous recordings. Besides producing, Pieces set lists and music; James has become quite the prolific producer, producing music for the likes of Walter Beasley, Jeff Kashiwa, Nestor Torres, and Wayman Tisdale just to name a few. With the songs “Knikki’s Smileâ€, “Night Visionâ€, “Mt Airy Grooveâ€, and “Club Jazzâ€; deeming by the audiences enthusiastic response, they were all recognizable within the first three notes of each song. On the song “Knikki’s Smileâ€, Eddie had the crowd in a frenzy demonstrating his circular breathing technique and showmanship on his soprano saxophone. With Curtis laying down the base foundation on the 1982 song “Mt Airy Grooveâ€, David Dyson took center stage for double-thumbing-numbing bass solo, ending in a rousing standing ovation. Not to be outdone, James showcased his keyboard mastery by doing his trademark around-the-world blindfolded keyboard playing on the song “Club Jazzâ€, which always brings the house down. In an unscripted part of the routine, when James had his blindfold taken off, his glasses also accidentally came flying off making him truly blind. Ever the professional, James kept on playing till the song was over, a priceless moment in the show. Their set ended with a rousing Jeff Lorber Fusion shades of a tune “House Arrest†and to a standing ovation. After a brief intermission, the proceedings then moved onto the Annual recognition of the Jackson Street Music Program Community honoree: Ms. Ernestine Anderson. Before she appeared on stage there was a short informative and captivating 8 minute video documentary on Ms. Anderson (complimented by a informative hand-out about her), focusing on her time spent in Seattle and the historical Jackson Street Music district. In the video she touched on such places as “The Rockin’ Chair†where she first met Nat King Cole, to reminiscing fondly about maybe only printing 25 copies of her first recording “Shifty Henry†put out on Black & White Records. The most poignant part of the video was when she talked about her time spent in Scandinavia. She replied, “It was in Sweden where I was accepted for me and not by the color of my skin. It was there I felt… that I was truly free.†To a heartfelt standing ovation Ms. Anderson was escorted to center stage. Once there, Pamela Green representing the Mayor’s Office, read a proclamation declaring Friday, February 9, 2007 as Ernestine Anderson Day in the City of Seattle. Visibly moved and overwhelmed, Ms. Anderson talked eloquently and humorously about her love for Seattle. “The most common response I got when I mentioned Seattle (in her travels),†was “Nobody lives in Seattle†or “It rains a lot in Seattleâ€. “I know in my heart what Seattle was to me… Seattle embraced jazz. There’s no place I’d rather be then in Seattle. We got it goin’ on!,†Ms. Anderson added with a fist punch in the air for good measure. Blowing kisses to the adoring crowd, Ms. Anderson exited the stage to another deservedly standing ovation. The celebration then continued with the astonishing six-and-change octave vocal range styling of Rachelle Ferrell, who coincidentally can be found singing background vocals on the first two Pieces Of A Dream albums. Rachelle came out on stage still in the midst of strapping on her acoustic guitar, wearing an earth-tone ensemble tied together with a macramé belt, along with a large turquoise encrusted necklace. Her 10 song 1hour and 43 minute set got off to a bit of a rocky start with sound problems during her first two songs, enough so that an audience member let it be known to her. Rachelle handled the sound problem and audience member with class and a touch of humor to ease the situation. “First let me work on my needs… then I’ll see what I can do for you. I don’t have knobs (motioning to her body). This is live… you just don’t press play,†she replied to the audiences’ laughter and delight. Rachelle was backed by an incredible level of musicianship. Her band consisted of William “Billy†Odum (guitar) who was the last guitarist for George Howard before his untimely passing, Lil’ John Roberts (drums) who goes into rehearsal next month for Janet Jackson’s next tour scheduled for next year, Nelson Braxton (bass) who is one half of the group The Braxton Brothers, and Morris “Mo†Pleasure (keyboards) known for his work with Earth Wind & Fire. As if giving a tip of the hat to Ms. Anderson, Rachelle opened up her set with the song “Survivor†playing the acoustic guitar. She playfully laughed and squealed throughout the song and practically throughout her whole set. I couldn’t help but reminisce of Minnie Rippington’s song “Loving You (Is Easy)†throughout Rachelle’s set. On the wax-poetic song “Sisters†she singled out the sisters in the house, with Morris giving a rich and full piano solo. Singing while playing the acoustic piano is where I thought Rachelle was at her best. She did displayed that extraordinary talent on the songs “I Forgive You†and “I Can’t Explainâ€, show casing her piano chops and highlighting the pure essence of her voice. Her much anticipated rendition of the classic love song “My Funny Valentine†did not disappoint. With Mr. Pleasure taking the reins on acoustic piano, Rachelle made a richly deserved dedication and nod to Regina Washington (Ariel Media/ Jazz In The City’s Venue Manager). “Regina… this is for you! You’ve been hooking me up all day,†she replied. Kneeling and bowing in reverence on the side of the acoustic piano, Morris complemented Rachelle’s stunning vocal register runs, with stunning piano runs of his own. A couple other highlights in her set included an improvised under one minute acappella version of the song “Bye Bye Blackbirdâ€, and a tribute song to the late James Brown, allowing her talented band members to stretch. Like Ms. Anderson, Rachelle exited the stage to a well deserved standing ovation. In an ode to my grandfather; it was a “fitting†tribute to Ms. Anderson… and a well “tailored†night indeed.