Combining a profound sense of the past with a distinctive flair for the present, and offering exciting innovations for the future, pianist Bradley Young takes the standard definition of "virtuoso" to unique and promising new places on the musical horizon. Drawing upon a remarkably diverse series of historical and modern piano influences, Bradley has established himself as a dynamic player, composer and band leader in every genre from blues, soul, and boogie woogie to traditional and contemporary jazz, which is Bradley's first love. In fact, it is his passion for contemporary jazz that has inspired him to create Midnight Rhapsody,and you can sample the music from this CD here on myspace! The CD,which is long out of print,is still available on amazon.com, cdbaby.com,or at Bradley's website,www.bradleyyoung.com.
As a pianist, the Chicago native's eclectic and soulful performing and composing style is unique in that it is reflective of nearly the entire history of jazz piano. His own musical evolution was inspired over the years by everyone from stride and boogie woogie players like James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith and Meade "Lux" Lewis, to swing and bop giants such as Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson, and Herbie Hancock, to contemporary jazz masters like Alex Bugnon, Brian Culbertson, and Joe McBride.
Bradley began classical piano lessons at age five, and by seven he was performing recitals with his own improvisational compositions. In his early teens, while studying privately at Northwestern University and the Evanston Conservatory of Music, a family friend, who was also a jazz pianist, gave Bradley his entire collection of blues and boogie woogie 78s, and Bradley became enamored with those genres. As he was performing his first professional gigs at Chicago blues hotspots with local legends like Freddie Below and Big Time Sarah, Bradley was also studying with famed Chicago blues pianist and recording artist Erwin Helfer.
He attended Columbia College in Chicago, then Indiana State University for a year before transferring to the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston for three years. At Berklee, while still boogie woogie-ing by night, Bradley studied composition, harmony, counterpoint, arranging and music theory. Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago and built a late night reputation at top Chicago jazz clubs like Andy's, Pop's for Champagne, the Green Mill and the Gold Star Sardine Bar. Since establishing himself in the Los Angeles area,Bradley has continued to grow as an artist....studying with wonderful teachers like Alan Pasqua,Mike Garson,and Terry Trotter. He has appeared as pianist and music director for hundreds of distinguished special events across the country,working with celebrities like Clint Eastwood, Sigourney Weaver,Sharon Stone,Brooke Shields,Gary Shandling,Teri Hatcher,and many others....Bradley also continues to perform at numerous Los Angeles area jazz venues. Bradley has played and recorded with some musical greats... artists such as Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Buddy Childers, Sal Marquez,Steve Cole,Tony Dumas, Luther Hughes,Dave Carpenter, Peter Erskine and Jeff "Tain" Watts.
Bradley has recently been signed by respected European record label ENJA RECORDS. The first recording to be issued is a previously unreleased studio session featuring jazz trumpet legend CHET BAKER,recorded in 1986 in Chicago,and is scheduled for a mid October 2008 release. The CD features Bradley Young,piano,Larry Gray,bass,and Rusty Jones,drums;it is titled,appropriately,"CHET IN CHICAGO"... For more information about this previously undiscovered recording,log into the ENJA website,at www.enjarecords.com,and type in CHET BAKER into the search window.
While continuing to grow as a pianist and recording artist,Bradley has found time to pursue his passion for film making,co-directing and scoring a feature film,"Recycled Parts",a first in his career.The film is a blood curdling genre piece firmly rooted in the modern horror film tradition.Scoring the film with co-composer David Wolf gave Bradley a chance to write in a style that owes something to his favorite film music composers,such as Jerry Goldsmith,Bernard Hermann,and Alan Sylvestri.The film had its premeire screening in Los Angeles in March 2007,and more about the film can be seen here at myspace.com/recycled parts the movie.
In a recent interview, Bradley has this to say:"Its been gratifying,and alot of fun to be able to create music in a variety of styles and genres,from hip hop,funk,blues,and jazz to contemporary film music.I hope my music touches peoples' lives, and I believe music has an extraordinary ability to do just that."
With an exciting and distinguished résumé behind him and considering all that lies ahead, Young is certain to add to the traditions he so embraces as he emerges onto the national and international music scene.
