The Timeline is a living history of the Artist, from his first rehearsal in 2011 to the present day. It allows you to relive his story via exclusive videos, audio, photos, news, interviews, and handwritten notes.
Stephen Wise
Band Leader, Vocal, Sax, Flute, Songwriter & Producer
Bandleader and lead vocalist for the EDGE for the last 20 yrs with a track record of total success stories in the private party industry. His reputation continues to be stellar and is described by satisfied clients as being confident, smooth, and charismatic when running the party, not to mention the sweet soulful tones of his voice that have people talking about the EDGE and “that amazing party” for weeks, months & even years.
He says: “It has always been my mission to create events where the music feels so good it makes you wanna scream ahhhhoo!!!! on the dance floor. Where a 4-hour party feels like 1 hour because the music transcends time and space and everyone attending feels comfortable enough to truly let go. It’s actually a healing experience.”
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Stephen Wise has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry like Stevie Wonder and was featured on two of his CDs “Jungle Fever” & “Characters”. Also either performed or recorded with names like Patti Labelle, Boyz II Men, The Roots, Britney Spears, and Teena Marie to name a few. He gained global visibility appearing and competing on Star Search reaching a semi-finalist status. In 1990, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and appeared at the steps of City Hall in Los Angeles, CA, he performed to embrace and honor him.
Besides being the bandleader for The Edge, Stephen also a music producer has produced projects for Katriel (his artist name), where he has amassed 6 recorded albums of his own original music which can be found at CD Baby. Stephen also produces and cultivates many upcoming artists, singers, poets, and spoken word-ologists.
Most folks can recognize the names of many of the EDGE clients, like the surprise party of Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell at the Philadelphia Society Hill Sheraton Hotel. Then there was the wedding of Mellissa Katz, the daughter of Harold Katz the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team who during his ownership, he brought the 76ers to their most recent NBA Championship win in the 1982-1983 season. Then there was the wedding of Khadijah Bell, the daughter of Ronald (Khalif) Bell, an original member of Kool & the Gang who was so compelled by the music that he had to get on stage with The Edge and join in on several renditions of their own blockbuster hits! Other parties of note include David & Marla Green owners of First Trust Bank, the Hess family, owners of the Hess Gas Station chain, and in June of 2012, the band flew to Miami, FL to perform for Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick’s wedding, where Vick and coach Andy Reid both said the band was “phenomenal”. The list goes on and on………… available upon request.
Doug Grigsby III
Music Director, Bassist, Arranger & Producer
Grammy-nominated bassist & music producer, Doug C. Grigsby, III has had a quest to be the next "Q" Quincy Jones in this lifetime. I would say he has had more than a head start with the line up of artists on his roster as a writer, composer, and producer, in addition to touring with an incredible host of national top acts.
Grigsby was already a well sought after bassist in the music industry by the age of 18. His record of success includes recording and touring with top recording artists such as Michael Jackson, Patti Labelle, Stephanie Mills, Cher, Luther Vandross, Phyllis Hyman, Rick James, Mikki Howard, Paula Abdul, Taj Mahal, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Regina Belle, Ann Nesby, Brandi Wells and so many more! Grigsby was Senior Producer for The Serena Sol Brown Show, but his most notable role was being music director for "The Ivory Queen of Soul", Teena Marie which resulted in numerous chart-topping hits and live performances until her untimely death in December 2010.
Doug Grigsby continues his work as a composer and producer with pure love and commitment believing always that he never has to boast about the great gifts God has given to him. He will tell you ..."my work is self-explanatory!" Doug's modesty, down home, and fun-loving charismatic personality is felt in every moment of his music whether live or on record. He plays with his soul and he is the master of accomplished sounds and genres namely... Funk, R&B, Jazz, Gospel, and Pop. He is "DG" in the light of a "Q" determined to fulfill his purpose!
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Doug Grigsby continues his work as a composer and producer with pure love and commitment believing always that he never has to boast about the great gifts God has given to him. He will tell you ..."my work is self-explanatory!" Doug's modesty, down home, and fun-loving charismatic personality is felt in every moment of his music whether live or on record. He plays with his soul and he is the master of accomplished sounds and genres namely... Funk, R&B, Jazz, Gospel, and Pop. He is "DG" in the light of a "Q" determined to fulfill his purpose!
Shelia Moser
Vocalist
Another rising star, Shelia was born and raised in the city of Baltimore, MD a musical product of many influences: gospel, jazz, and soul, to name a few. A recent music graduate of Temple University Shelia started in church, singing with her siblings in the children's choir.
At a young age, it was clear that music was her gift, having written and composed songs before the age of ten years old. She grew up listening to Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Whitney Houston, and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few. In high school, she attended Baltimore City College, and there she cultivated her gift in singing and playing the trumpet. She also realized her love for making beats and instrumentals. Shelia sang in the world-renowned Baltimore City College Choir under the direction of Ms. Linda Hall. In the choir, she found her voice and was inspired to further her career in college at Temple University, where she is now a senior studying vocal jazz performance. Shelia sings for various groups in the tri-state area, including Therron Fowler & Soul Theory, Dyron Booker & Divine Destiny, Angela White & One Sound, and Afro-soul singers Ene Live and Yemi. She also performs solo sets around the city of Philadelphia. Shelia (popularly known as Lee Mo), now 21 years old, is young but mature in sound. She knows what she wants and she commands freedom and excellence from her own band and singers. She uses her gift to heal and minister to those whose ears come in contact with her music.
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Taphy Spencer
Vocalist
This rising star has been known to grace her audiences with memorable ballads, including standards, like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and more contemporary fare, such as Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky,” her signature song. “I love ballads because I think they paint a vivid picture of emotions, she says. “They give any artist the opportunity to showcase their vocals.”
She’s been compared to Whitney Houston, but her style also includes the feeling of Mary J. Blige with the execution and vocal arrangement of Brandy. Spencer, a true singer’s singer, has a broad array of influences and no musical limitations. You can find elements of rock, gospel, hip-hop, and jazz throughout her cd (she even raps on one of her songs). “What appeals to me is quality music,” she states categorically. “If it’'s of good quality, then I love it!”
In June of 2008, Spencer was cast as Mrs. Newman in a play entitled, Jewel, where she won an award for best vocalist. Spencer has recorded and executive produced her debut EP, Dreamer as an independent internet release in September 2010.
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In June of 2008, Spencer was cast as Mrs. Newman in a play entitled, Jewel, where she won an award for best vocalist. Spencer has recorded and executive produced her debut EP, Dreamer as an independent internet release in September 2010.
Toby Johnson
Drums
Original drummer for CHANGE (Luther Vandross' first hits) – is a musician, songwriter, producer, and arranger from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a musical career that spans more than thirty (30) years, Toby is well-versed in a variety of musical styles, including R&B, Rock/Pop, Jazz, Fusion, Reggae, and Gospel.
In addition to CHANGE, Toby has worked with numerous recording groups, including, but not limited to, The Force MD’s, Chubby Checker, and Evelyn “Champagne” King.
Steven Page
Keyboards
The band's youngest member is a native of Philadelphia and has been making music since the age of nine. Although young, he is truly an "old soul" as his music and touch are as sweet as anyone in our industry.
Steven graduated from the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia majoring in instrumental music and minoring in Choral music. His passion is to educate children in the art of music. He is the Assistant musical director of the Children of the Arts Foundation (COTA) where the foundation strives to educate and inspire children to succeed through the arts of singing, instrumental, dance and performing. Steven believes “Without music, the world would be a dry place”, he plans to continue to hydrate the world through his music and educate children to reach higher heights and deeper depths to reach their highest potential.
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Eric Gershenow
Guitar
Born in Washington D.C., Eric G was inspired to pick up the guitar at the age of 13 after seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan's Live at the El Macambo and has since immersed himself in various styles of music that take root in classic blues and R&B.
He has played in various blues/rock/jazz-based cover projects in the D.C. metropolitan area before relocating to Philadelphia in 2010 to promote his original works and root himself in the Philly music community. His first official production, a 5 song EP entitled "Harmonic Frequency Matching" is currently in production at Retro City Studios in Philadelphia and is due out in 2014. In addition to pursuing live performance, Eric is actively involved in sound engineering and recording, having supported local Philly artists running sound at venues such as The Level Room and Woolly Mammoths on South Street."
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