Album Notes

Ed Jurdi is blazing a trail with music. His inimitable style, dubbed 'Cosmic American Soul,' has enthralled listeners, critics, and musicians across the country and beyond. It's like a cross-section of American musical history, starting with heaping doses of soul augmented by flashes of country, blues, bluegrass, gospel, and folk to create a sophisticated yet earthy union. People have certainly taken note of his archetypal musical map: over the past five years Ed has steadily emerged as one of the most exciting and dynamic artists in American music, earning 'best album,' 'best artist,' and 'best song' nominations and awards from several outlets, including the Portsmouth Herald, Windrift Music, JAM Music Magazine and Radio Belgium.

Featuring ten original compositions from every corner of the musical landscape, Ed Jurdi's second album LONGSHORES DRIVE (Red Fez Records) showcases the extraordinary power, range, and depth of Ed's voice and songcraft. From the gospel tinged Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin-esqe "Keep on Trying" to the New Orleans stomp of "Walking and Talking" to the cool Memphis soul of "Bumblebee," the album traverses the roadmap of American music to a vibrant and fresh destination. Recorded and mixed by Thomas Eaton (Ellis Paul, Vance Gilbert) and featuring such luminary performers as John Platania (Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, and Randy Newman), Mark Erelli (Signature Sounds Records), Jon Nolan (Say Zuzu), Tom Yoder (ex-Don Campbell Band), and the Funky Divas of Gospel, the album was released in July 2003 by Red Fez Records and is distributed internationally by Fountainbleu/Burnside.

Following his self-titled 1999 debut release, critics heralded the coming of a major new talent. "A wonder," proclaimed Portfolio Magazine. "His gift of voice is extraordinary." Subsequently, Ed toured the country extensively, armed with a Martin D-28, a couple of Hohner Harmonicas, and a tank of gas, performing over 600 shows in the past 3 years. Showcasing as a solo artist, he has performed in 23 states, sharing the stage with acts as diverse as Trey Anastasio, Willie Nelson, NRBQ, and Lucy Kaplansky. When not performing under his own umbrella, Ed has toured with the mighty Dreadnaught, completing a month-long 2003 U.S. tour in which the band debuted a miniature Stonehenge as its fourth member. Away from the road, Ed is an in-demand session player working with Queen Latifah, Dave Gerard (Truffle), and Jenny Fujita (Columbia Records), as well as scoring the theme song for the WB show "Young Voices."

The proof is on the record: LONGSHORES DRIVE is an inspired and divine offering from a gifted young artist on the rise. Only 27 years old, Ed has created a mature, sincere, and complete musical statement that defies his age.

Open your ears. Free your soul. Discover Ed Jurdi.