This July, Topeka’s own Eddie Wakes will grace the stage of the Topeka Performing Arts Center, bringing his velvety baritone and timeless jazz stylings back to the city where his musical journey began. The event, aptly titled An “Unforgettable” Evening with Eddie Wakes, promises a night of nostalgia, soul, and celebration (topekaperformingarts.org). With his debut album about to release and a European tour on the horizon, Eddie’s return home marks a celebration of roots, resilience, and rhythm.
Growing up in a household with eight brothers and a father who was both a pastor and a gifted singer, Eddie's early life in Topeka and as a Highland Park student was steeped in music.
“Dad was a well-respected pastor in Topeka and a very singular singer in his talent,” Eddie recalled. “He was born during the era of street corner doo-wop groups and as a young man, he sang in Gospel quartets. Lionel Hampton once asked him to join his band—Quincy Jones was still playing trumpet for him at the time—but Dad turned it down. He said he wanted to ‘sing for the Lord.’”
Eddie and his brothers, performing as The Wakes Brothers, shared their musical talents in churches, hospitals, and community events around Topeka and beyond.
“We sang everywhere that would want to hear us,” Eddie said. “My dad would have us harmonizing in the living room. The texture of my brothers’ voices leaned more toward R&B and bluesy stuff, but I was drawn to the big band, jazz and orchestra singers – Johnny Hartman, Nat Cole. Nat really riveted my imagination. I could technically identify with him.”
Eddie’s calling became undeniable during a moment of early spiritual clarity.
“I had this vivid vision during my junior year in high school—of leaving Topeka, seeing oceans, trees as tall as mountains, and traveling to all these strange, new places,” he said. “Not long after that, someone came to our school talking about Up With People. I auditioned, got in, and we traveled the world. That was pivotal to me.”
That early leap led to a lifetime of unexpected chapters—singing at Super Bowl XX during the very first national celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, opening for B.B. King, working with producer David Foster, even sharing a dinner table with Morgan Freeman.
“I think, for whatever reason, daring to put the talent out there drew attention to some of these people and opened the door to these A-list opportunities and introductions,” Eddie said.
One of his most surreal encounters happened in Los Angeles – a time when Eddie was living in his van, singing on the street.
“A young man came up to me and said he was a fan of my music,” Eddie said. “He said he was working on a student film and asked me to work on it. That young man turned out to be Damien Chazelle, the director of La La Land.”
Now signed to Flat Iron Recordings, Eddie’s debut album was produced by Grammy-winning producer Marvin Etzioni and mastered at legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. It’s being released on gold-colored vinyl and CDs on July 11th, the eve of his appearance at TPAC.
“I’m very happy with it now,” he said. “As artists, we’re typically our worst critics. But I learned that the importance of being vulnerable is resulting authenticity, and there is a vulnerability to the performances and expression on that record.”
Even after working with the likes of Tony Bennett and David Benoit, Eddie still treasures coming home to Topeka.
His July concert at TPAC will be a tribute to the greats—Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr.—as well as a celebration of his original arrangements.
Looking ahead, Eddie is composing new material with Monty Python and Spamalot’s music composer, John Du Prez, preparing a retro-style cover and music video of an Ed Sheeran hit, and preparing for a tour in Europe this winter. But no matter how global the gigs get, Eddie stays grounded.
“I want to express in music the signature of my soul and to reach the people who appreciate what I do artistically,” he said. “I just want to continue something that gives people a great musical, entertaining experience. And inspire some young artists along the way.”
Despite experiences like performing at weddings for stars like Kim Kardashian, singing with legends like B.B. King, performing in theatrical productions like Disney’s “The Lion King”, Eddie lists his greatest achievement as what he’s been able to accomplish amidst his success; what he calls his foundation.
“My greatest achievement in music, I think is - as my father used to say – ‘staying green’,” Eddie reflects. “Staying open to growth. There is not much that I didn’t get from those teachers and Music mentors in Topeka that I’m not using professionally today. My greatest achievement in life is making sure – as mom used to say – to live by Proverbs 3:5-6: ‘Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding’. I try to stay close to those foundations and keep people around me that keep me grounded.”
Learn more and stay connected at eddiewakes.com
Watch Eddie perform “Unforgettable” on YouTube
“I want to express in music the signature of my soul"
“My greatest achievement in music, as my father used to say – ‘staying green’”