Of Note…
| Lately, the music doesn’t seem quite so sweet off Disneyland’s Royal Street. On the first of this year, Disneyland lost one of its most memorable characters, beloved New Orleans Square sax player Edwin Pleasants.
The street musician died of cancer at age 68. He spent the last 20 years riffing near Port de Orleans or by the Jewelry Shop, across from the parasol stand. Edwin delighted in working with, and performing for, people. Especially for the little ones who requested “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” One small boy, in fact, would regularly bring his own plastic sax to “play” with Edwin. Before he joined Disneyland in 1982, Edwin had an illustrious career backing up Motown groups in the 1960s and, in the 1970s, playing with acts such as The Ray Charles Orchestra, King Curtis, Dusty Springfield and Curtis Mayfield. He would also teach music appreciation for senior citizens and jazz ensemble at Compton College.
To preserve the memory of Edwin and his contributions to the park, several of his admirers hope the park will install a small plaque or other memorial in New Orleans Square. The group hopes “to get as many testimonies as possible to how wonderful he was and the impact he had on people and the Park,” says former merchandise cast member Heather Young. “We want to convince Cynthia Harriss that Edwin wasn’t just another cast member, but an institution and Disneyland legend.” “We know that annual passholders knew and loved him, because we were asked where he was all the time on his day’s off,” Heather explains. “That is why I’m hoping for as many AP testimonials as I can get. He was an amazing, loving man and deserves a special place in the Square that he loved so much.” For those who were entertained and even touched by Edwin, please join You can write to David atthis link..
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