Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
World renowned tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, who has been battling cancer these past eight years-will be the honored guest at “A Sunday Afternoon For Teddy” at the Musicians Union this
coming Sunday, February 2. The proceeds will go directly to help pay mounting medical costs.
“We were approached by so many of my dad’s friends who just wanted to express their appreciation, show their respect, and help out,” says Teddy Edwards, Jr. “A friend, Bryon Winston, came up with the idea of having a tribute now, basically, giving him his flowers while he can still smell them.”
Friends and peers expected to perform on Sunday include: Ernie Andrews, Gary Bell, John Bolivar, Frank Capp, Ndugu Chancellor, Gene Diamond, Leslie Drayton, George Harper, Art Hillary, Dr. Roland Holmes, Linda Hopkins, Sweet Baby Jai’, James Janisse, Gerryck King, Saskia Laroo, Al McKibbon, Barbara Morrison, Larry Nash, Chuck Niles, Carl Randall, James Smith, Phil Upchurch, Louis Van Taylor, Spanky Wilson and the Teddy Edwards’ String Ensemble.
Despite his health problems over the last decade, Teddy has remained active, writing for the Brass String Ensemble, recording and performing-doing the things he has loved to do all his life. He has also written his first novel, Paris Nights, which will be published later this year by Vantage Press.
“My dad always felt he wasn’t going to get the recognition due him until after he was gone,” states Teddy, Jr. “Now people are in the process of proving him wrong.”
“A Sunday Afternoon For Teddy” is at the Musicians Union, 817 N. Vine St., Hollywood, Calif., this Sunday, Feb. 2. The event is from 2-6 p.m. and admission is $20 at the door. All proceeds with go directly to Teddy Edwards’ medical care.
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
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