Born in New Haven (Connecticut), Ed moved to New York to play guitar with Dizzy Gillespie in 1978. He performed with Gillespie’s big band, quartet, and with The United Nation Orchestra, which recorded the Grammy Award-winning album Live at Royal Festival Hall (Enja). Cherry released his first album as a leader, “First Take” (Groovin’ High) after Gillespie’s death in 1993. Ed also recorded that year with Paquito’s small group, which recorded “Havana Cafe”, (Chesky Record). Ed worked for two years with Henry Threadgill, composer/saxophonist, and recorded three CDs with Henry’s “Very Very Circus” group. Cherry’s second solo album, A Second Look (Groovin’ High Records), was released in 1995. Ed also recorded three critically acclaimed CDs with John Patton’s quartet, ‘Blue Planet Man’ (DIW), ‘Minor Swing ‘and ‘This ones For Jah’ (DIW)). Cherry was a member of Roy Hargrove’s Latin jazz band “Crisol”, which performed in Havana. Cherry toured Europe with his own band for the first-time in 2001. His cd, “The Spirit Speaks”, was also released on Canadian Justin Time Records. He was inspired by Jimmy Smith, the great jazz organist, and Cherry was invited to perform with his quartet, which featured Jon Faddis, at the 2002 Vodaphone Madarao Japan Jazz Festival. Recently, Ed was on tour with Dr. Lonnie Smith (Hammond organist), and recorded a critically acclaimed CD, “In The Beginning” on Pilgrimage Records. Ed is currently working on a new recording for Posi-Tone Records. (It’s all Good was Ed’s first Posi-Tone release in 2012. It stayed at the top of JazzWeek charts for three months.) His second recording is “Soul Tree”, which features Kyle Koehler playing the Hammond B3 organ, and Anwar Marshall as drummer. It’s already receiving rave reviews as of its pre-release date. Ed continues his work both nationally and internationally; concerts, workshops, and jazz clubs. from www.edcherryguitar.com
