Bio

Born and raised in Cumberland, MD., Stan began singing professionally during his high school years (Allegany HS), doing club dates and proms with local bands. Stan's first break came upon graduation and leaving his hometown. A series of Catskill Mountains gigs led him to a frequent guest spot on a hit CBS radio show hosted by Robert Q. Lewis, where he sang with Ray Block and his band.

Stan had already recorded a single on Impact Records and was working various night spots in New York when Uncle Sam drafted him into US Army. During his army stint Stan proved his talents and was chosen to tour at various Armed Forces bases.

Upon discharge in 1964 Stan was singing in New York again. In 1966 he began a 7-year association as MC singer with the legendary Village Gate. In those years he performed two tribute shows to two great songwriters, Dorothy Fields and Cy Coleman. Stan co-starred with Christine Gardner in both shows - each running one night (David Lahm, son of Dorothy Fields, was the musical coordinator). Dorothy Fields and Cy Coleman both performed in both of the shows.

Stan left the Village Gate in 1973 to headline in Frank Sinatra's favorite spot, the Fountainbleu in Miami Beach, FL. After his sensational run there the Miami press dubbed him "Mr. Manhattan."

The rest of the 1970s found Stan extremely busy working night clubs, including a year at Gas Light Club, the daddy of the Playboy club circuit. The 1980s found Stan singing in jazz venues. One of his favorites was Gregory's, where he sang as a regular, over a three-year period.

In the 1980s Stan was a frequent guest on Joe Franklin's popular radio show "Memory Lane," and the late great comedian Joey Adams' Show. After hearing tribute to Frank Sinatra on his radio show, Joey gave this quote: "Stan Edwards in his own wonderful singing style plays a musical tribute to Frank Sinatra. Frank would be very proud of him."

In 1987 he returned to the Village Gate as a singer, MC, and talent coordinator for his own show, which ran five nights a week until 1993, when Art D'Lugoff's club closed its doors, finishing the Village Gate's long historic run. During that time, in 1991 and 1992, Stan starred in "That's All," a musical tribute to Bobby Darin, which he wrote and directed in collaboration with Harriet Wasser, Bobby Darin's long-time business associate and close friend. The show ran 71 times, favored by audiences and critics alike.

When musical producer Len Triola heard Stan's CD "Play Me Hearts And Flowers" and saw him perform, he hired Stan for a week of singing Sinatra's songs in a tribute "Here's To Old Blue Eyes" at the Tavern On The Green. Part of the show was Stan's own parody to the tune of "Lady Is A Tramp," called "That's Why Old Blue Eyes Is A Champ" proved a big hit.

Stan also did a series of concerts at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church famed for its jazz concerts as well as the services. Three of his notable concerts were tributes to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett (on his 50th anniversary in show business), and Irvin Drake (a birthday celebration of the noted composer, in which Irvin Drake shared stage with Stan, along with Joe Franklin, and singer Jill Corey).

The 1990s saw Stan as a frequent performer at the Uptown Birdland, working cabaret rooms, such as Danny's, and appearing often at the Tavern On The Green. In the later 1990s Stan started singing with Linda Ipanema, his very talented Mrs. They have been doing engagements a festivals, street fares, night clubs, libraries, and senior centers.

The new millennium found Stan appearing with the Joe Bataglia Band on the celebrated New Year's Eve party at the Tavern On The Green, where he still appears often. He headlined Jilly's in a week-long Tribute to Old Blue Eyes, which was extended by popular demand to run another week.

Stan toured with Tommy Dorcey Band under the direction of Buddy Morrow and headlined at the new Midtown Birdland in celebration of his new CD My Tribute to That Darin Guy which was co-produced by Harriet Wasser and Len Triola.

The team of Stan and Linda are busier than ever doing their concerts and shows together, such as their two-hour show dedicated to The Hit Parade from its radio conception in 1934 until its TV conclusion in 1959. The show proved a big hit at the Triad Theatre on 72nd Street in Manhattan.

Stan loves to sing, but the guy's equally at home as a master of ceremonies and as a creator of special material. He loves to create new shows and has new projects coming, on his and with Linda. Look out for the new Christmas CD and their new shows.