Biography
Funnyman Ed Blaze’s life began modestly. He was born and raised by his grandparents in the central east African country of Tanzania. The luxuries that most people take for granted, electricity and running water, were non-existent in the small village where Ed lived. Despite these hardships, Ed fondly recalls his uncanny ability to spread laughter throughout the room of the boarding school he attended as a youngster.
In 1998, Ed immigrated to the United States to pursue higher education and big dreams. He initially resided in California, but Ed relocated to the East coast, first to Newark, New Jersey, before finally settling into the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C. Ed remembers his thoughts about his new environment compared to his native country—everything was fast-paced, and it was a huge culture shock for him. Shocked or not, Ed immersed himself in a wealth of knowledge: he began studying Business Management and computer networking, established himself as an entrepreneur in promotions and video/film direction. Despite these endeavors, Ed’s heart was with his first passion: comedy
Life in Tanzania provided Ed with much material for his comedic routines. “I was once invited to go camping,” recalls a laughing Ed. “Not fun for someone who lived in a hut. You want me to have fun? Then take me to a Four Seasons!” Ed’s transition from his native language Swahili to English is also a backdrop used in his comedy. However, Ed doesn’t limit himself to only talking about African and American culture; his comedy is infused with an array of topics, from politics and current events to human sexuality and marriage, from pop culture to race. Ed draws his inspiration from comedic greats Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Carlos Mencia, and George Carlin, among others.
When he isn’t gracing the stages of comedy clubs and college campuses, such as Gotham Comedy Club in New York City or D.C.’s Howard University, Ed spends time with his family and friends. He also enjoys watching basketball and football games on television, as well as a good boxing or soccer match.