With a degree in psychology, Julie worked as a sign painter, a youth club assistant, an insurance seller, a photographer and in adult education, before deciding to concentrate on singing. She studied at Leeds College of Music between 1994 and 1997 on a Postgraduate Diploma, where she discovered jazz as taught be Angela Elliot, Pete Churchill and Nikki Iles and where she sang in Tony Faulkner's Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra. In 2000 she recorded her first album, 'About Time Too' and shortly afterwards teamed up with Kevin.

Having played electric bass as a teenager, Yorkshire born Kevin took up saxophone at age 20, studying with jazz educator Richard Ingham. Three years later he entered the Royal Northern College of Music. In the RNCN Big Band he worked with Bobby Shew, Lou Tabackin, Stan Sulzman and Victor Mendoza. He backed Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey, Barry White and Paul Anka at the Sporting Club of Monte Carlo. He directed Bradford University Big Band and the RNCM Jazz Ensemble, has designed Edexcel jazz courses and taught HNC jazz. He now teaches one-to-one and coaches student big bands. In the last 3 years he has added jazz guitar to his repertoire, which has become his favoured instrument.

Together they have played to enthusiastic and ever increasing audiences all over the UK, having appeared at many festivals and venues including Cleethorpes, Wigan, Scarborough, Birmingham, Cork and Keswick Jazz Festivals, the award winning Wakefield Jazz, The Boxford Fleece in Suffolk, Lincoln New Jazz Five, Ipswich Jazz, Jazz in Oxon, Swansea Jazzland and the Asociasion de Amigos Del Jazz in Spain.

Their rhythm section features excellent seasoned players from the North and the Midlands including pianists Al Gurr (Lorna Luft, Alfie Boe, Haley Westernra), Kenny Ball's regular bass player Bill Coleman and northern jazz icon and Loose Tubes co-founder Steve Berry, and more recently Wes Montgomercy guru, guitarist Adrian Ingram. They have also appeared with Dave Newton, Steve Brown, Simon Thorpe and John Dee.

Aside from their jazz outfits, they also run a function band and a motown/soul duo.

"They have an enviable empathic relationship. Edwards, fluid and commanding, has clearly joined the front runners in the world of the female jazz singer, and a very welcome addition she is too."
Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal International

"'Great sophistication and taste. Their smooth and thoughtful partnership has made for extremely enjoyable listening.'
Musician Magazine

"Good singer, isn't she?"
Michael Parkinson, BBC Radio 2

"Here's a voice that caught my attention on an album I received a couple of years ago and successfully holds it on a new one just out.
I think this is beautiful." Humphrey Lyttelton, BBC Radio 2

"A true jazz singer than sparkles like a real gem."
Lee Gibson, Musician Magazine

"One of the most appealing partnerships on the jazz circuit."
Yorkshire Post

"A cracking singer." Brian Blain, Jazz UK

"Julie is up there with the best in the country, a very musical singer
with an excellent saxophonist." Hulljazz

"One of the best outfits in the business." Hull Mail"

"One of the best jazz pairings in many years." Grimsby Telegraph

"Julie is a singer with a wonderfully expressive voice, a warm personality and an easy rapport with an audience. The chemistry between Julie and her other half, Kevin Dearden, is the foundation of all that's good about their band". Wakefield Express

"Outstanding vocalist." Scarborough Jazz

"Fast becoming one of the top attractions on the jazz club circuit."
Jazz UK

"A talented and very skilful jazz vocalist...she delights her audience... a singer who swings, sounds good and has personality."
Mike Pinfold, jazz writer

"Our entertainers were the acclaimed Julie Edwards Quintet.
Julie is a fine jazz vocalist with a soft tonal quality that can suddenly burst into life with venomous power but then as easily shink back to beguiling charm...quite superb. Kevin Dearden was on top form."
Grimsby Telegraph

"A rising star on the British Jazz scene fast gaining an enviable reputation, Julie is a fine jazz vocalist with a wide repertoire."
Huddersfield Jazz

For interview see www.jazzviews.co.uk

Photos: George Coupe