Biography
Domi Edson is an emerging force in jazz education, leadership, and performance. Originally from Seattle and now residing in Denver, Domi has performed at Dazzle, Frankie's Jazz Club, Yardbird Suite, The Royal Room, The International Society of Bassists Conference, live on KUVO and KNKX, and at multiple Jazz Education Network conferences. As a sidewoman, she has performed with Terrell Stafford, Jason Marsalis, Charles McPherson, Greg Gisbert, Dawn Clement, and many others. In 2021 she was awarded the David Baker scholarship for her talent, spirit, and commitment to the field of jazz studies. Domi has founded and organized Women in Jazz Days in both Washington and Colorado, and has served as a faculty member for the CCJA SheBop Young Women in Jazz Workshop, Vail Jazz Goes to Schools, and the Gift of Jazz's Jazz for the Schools Series.
Domi’s introduction to the bass was very non-traditional. Throughout high school she played piano and clarinet/saxophone. Having auditioned for jazz band on bari sax her senior year, she was surprised to find herself placed in Jazz I on the upright bass. Despite (unsuccessfully) begging her teacher to let her play saxophone, she soon came to realize that the bass had always been the instrument she was meant to play, and immediately began to study with Jon Hamar.
Domi has received degrees from Central Washington University and the University of Northern Colorado, studying under Erik Applegate, Dr. Anna Jensen, and Chris Bruya. During her Master's degree, Domi was selected as the bassist for the 2020 Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo through the Jazz Education Network, leading her to perform at the JEN conference in New Orleans under the mentorship of Tia Fuller. Since moving to Colorado, Domi has performed as a side-woman with artists such as Terrell Stafford, Jason Marsalis, Charles McPherson, Greg Gisbert, Dawn Clement, Gayelynn McKinney, Paul Romaine, Annie Booth, Rico Jones, Jenna McLean, and many others. In addition to maintaining a busy gig schedule for jazz, Domi has also performed with the Denver Theater Co (The Color Purple, 2023), The Boulder Symphony, and is a member of the Celly Squad.
Domi leads the Domi Edson Trio, which has three albums- Without the Re (2021), Stories from Solitude (2022), and A Jazzy Hanukkah with the Domi Edson Trio (2023). The group has been on three tours across the United States and Western Canada- some highlights include Frankie's Jazz Club (Vancouver, B.C.), The Royal Room (Seattle, WA), Yardbird Suite (Edmonton, AB), The Alluvion (Traverse City, MI), The International Society of Bassists Conference, and Dazzle (Denver, CO). They also had multiple performances at Universities and High Schools along the way.
In addition to her performance career, Domi is also a passionate educator and activist. She has served on Jazz Education Network student chapter boards at both CWU and UNC, and founded and organized both Universities' Women In Jazz Day festivals, which have continued even after she has graduated. Domi works as a clinician for the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, the Gift of Jazz, Vail Jazz, and many more.
