If you ask Edison West to categorize his music, you may not get a very definitive answer. Edison was born and raised in the south; however, he didn't go down the country music path. Instead, he was influenced early in his career by the Crusader's Album, "Chain Reaction". Since Edison began playing guitar in 1974, he's come to appreciate all styles of music, and this eclectic taste is reflected in his writing and playing.

Edison began playing the guitar as a hobby and enjoyed it so much he decided to make it his career. After studying music and audio engineering at the University of North Carolina, he decided to continue down the path he'd chosen by teaching guitar to other eager musicians. Over the past twenty years, he formed and played in several bands, and he also owned and operated Heart Recording Studio for 12 years.

His first album was released by Artifex Records in Nashville in 1996. Edison lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons: Kevin, age 10, and Matthew, age 8 (guess whose pictures are on the cover of "Playing Outside"???).

Edison West has released his second CD, Playing Outside. The CD features Edison, Marcus Lenoardz on Bass, Frank Cothran on percussion, and J.D. Wilston on keyboards.

Although Edison realizes that other types of music might be more commercially acceptable, the music you'll hear on Playing Outside is a reflection of what's in his soul - and he couldn't share anything less. Edison describes his music as Instrumental Jazz, Latin, Rock, Reggae and Blues all rolled into one.