“Babar lays down the percolating cadence with his deep, dark reverberating tones. He also showcases his instrumental prowess as he takes centre stage..” All About Jazz
“Ed Babar is the firework beneath the ensemble” Jazz Standard
Ed Babar is a jazz/orchestral double bassist, bass guitarist and music educator based in London. Ed has performed on Jools Holland and the Graham Norton Show (Liam Gallagher), Radio 1 Live Lounge and the Michael Macintyre Show (Tom Odell), played live on BBC’sThe One Show (The Bevin Boys) and on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune (Tara Minton).
Having gained some teaching experience as an eighteen year-old working at the music department of Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne, Ed studied English Literature and Music Performance at the University of Leeds, specialising in jazz performance. On returning to London Ed took up the position of Head of Strings for Merton Music Foundation before running the department for Whole Class Ensemble Tuition. After seven years at Merton Music Foundation Ed took up a MA in Music Education and Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, specialising in classical performance and jazz education.
More recent performance highlights include Bobby-Jane Gardner’s “Music of the Unseen” at London’s Southbank Centre and a contemporary opera festival at TivoliVredenburg Utrecht with The Futurists Foundation.
As a studio musician Ed has recorded soundtracks for Sky Arts, BBC, ITV and Apple TV, as well as various recording artists.
Alongside a busy performing career, Ed is the founder and Artistic Director of Blues and Roots Ensemble, a jazz education charity that showcases the music of Charles Mingus and other significant protest music composers. A diverse nonet of top international musicians from South Africa to Sicily, India to Cuba, the band has quickly grown a reputation for its captivating performances, as well as new initiatives in creative teaching and outreach work.
Ed is the visiting double bass and bass guitar teacher at the prestigious King’s College School, Wimbledon and Wimbledon High School, as well as being in high demand for his orchestral/sectional coaching and creative music workshop leading, including working at the Creative Lead for National Children’s Orchestra. Ed also has a private teaching practice based in South West London and offers online lessons to a wide range of students from around the world.