Saturday nights at the Festival of Arts are for the birds- the song birds that is! Extraordinary singers from all over Southern California take the stage in this music series that will leave you saying “Wow- can they sing!”

To casual observers, singer/songwriter Terrell Edwards seemed to just appear out of nowhere, breaking out with his soulful, seductive voice and clever new renditions of classic American standards. But the charismatic crooner—called “the perfect blend between Sinatra and Motown,”—has been seducing audiences around the globe for years with his unique blend of classic jazz, rhythm and blues vocals, engaging storytelling, and hours of memorable music.

As legend has it, Edwards had the good fortune of finding success in the music industry from the least likely of sources: Jay Leno. The comedy legend was immediately enthralled with Edwards’ soulful voice and stage swagger after catching a small, private show. Within days, Terrell and his Tri-City Rat Pack became Leno’s opening act at the Mirage Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, a gig they enjoyed for the next three years. It was during this period that Edwards, with encouragement and input from Leno, developed his homage to the classic singers who inspired him and helped bring this unlikely pairing together in the first place. It was then that Unforgettable was born.

It’s a long way from Milwaukee, although Edwards still considers the Wisconsin city his home. It was there—with the help of his gospel-singing, multi-instrumentalist father—that Edwards first embraced music and began to develop his signature style. Studying with four-time Grammy nominee Eric Benet, Edwards learned jazz saxophone, drums, and piano, all while developing his soulful, smooth voice that has become instantly recognizable to fans everywhere. After a stint with the US Navy, Edwards relocated to Atlanta, where he quickly gained a reputation as a multi-genre songwriter, penning tunes and producing hits for Pop, R&B, and Gospel artists throughout the southeastern United States. This hard work paid off, leaving Edwards with a string of Billboard hits and award nominations to his credit, as well as a demanding tour schedule that has seen him cross the continent several times over.