Anderson Edwards

(Bio as of March 2026)

Anderson Edwards (Bass Coach) returns to The Goodman for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, where he previously appeared in Pullman Porter Blues and Ain’t Misbehavin’. He has a Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical Direction after being the composer/bassist for the award-winning play Thunder Knocking on the Door (which ran regionally and Off-Broadway). He has also worked as bassist or keyboardist in numerous productions at Black Ensemble Theater. He was the conductor/pianist/actor in Ella at Northlight Theatre in Skokie and the Dallas Theater Center, and the music supervisor of Nina Simone: Between the Keys at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in Evanston. He played keyboards or bass for the late Koko Taylor (“Queen of the Blues”) on and off for 20 years. He was the associate producer and composer for Chicago native Katherine Nero’s film For the Cause. Edwards was also the entertainment director for Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse in Oak Brook and Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop house in Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. His company, Global Music Works, launched two community-based jam sessions on the Southside: the Jazz Jam Revival at the 50 Yard Line and the Sunday Soul Jam at City Life Cocktail Lounge. Currently, he’s performing bass behind blues artist Nora Jean Wallace.