dave edwards

Dave Edwards is a New York–area musical director and multi-instrumentalist who appears to move effortlessly between jazz, rock, classical, and worship music. Decades of ensemble experience and deep study have made him a rare performer and collaborator on upright and electric bass, drums, piano, acoustic guitar, and voice - especially as a worship leader and producer.

Dave has recorded and performed with jazz greats including Rufus Reid, John Patitucci, Donny McCaslin, Oz Noy, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, John Blake Sr., Ed Palermo, and Todd Williams. His early career featured performances as boy soprano soloist and student conductor with the American Boychoir, young piano soloist with the Trenton Symphony and Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra, and pianist and student conductor of the Wayne Chamber Orchestra (NJ). As a multi-instrumentalist and musical director, he has performed on bass and vocals with the progressive rock band Kansas, conducted Kansas with the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players, and played with artists such as Gloria Gaynor, Nick Jonas, Bethany Joy Lenz, Porter Carroll Jr., and the Ed Palermo Big Band (Frank Zappa Big Band).

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As a recording artist and session player, Dave’s drumming and bass work appear in sample libraries and licensing collections including Big Fish Audio’s Vintage Big Band, Funk/Soul City, and Vegas Loops, as well as TV and film scoring projects.

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In the Christian music world, Dave has worked alongside Kathy Troccoli, Gary Chapman, and Wayne Watson. As a featured worship leader, Dave served at events alongside John Ortberg, Luis Palau, Tim Keller, Rick Warren, N.T. Wright, Francis Chan, and John Piper.

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Drawn by faith in his twenties, Dave began what has become a 30-year career as a Worship & Arts Leader, mentoring over 120 musicians and technical artists known for their musical excellence, camaraderie, and authenticity.

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Dave's main effort in 2026 is leading worship and developing worship leaders in a small group of churches in New York and New England, producing 20+ songs for local songwriters, and playing gigs on bass and piano with great artists!

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“Easily the most gifted multi instrumentalist I have ever heard.”

- Rob Mathes, producer (Sting, Springsteen, Pavarotti)