When Cindy Bradley, in a last minute rush to choose an instrument to play in her 4th grade elementary school band program, chose the trumpet, little did she know it would someday put her on a collision course with Trippin ‘n’ Rhythm Records and her opportunity to record the record of a lifetime in “Bloom", her major label debut.Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Cindy enjoyed a varied career in music starting from a very young age. Although her first instrument of choice was the piano, which she began playing at the age of 6, she made the fateful choice to pick up the trumpet in her 4th grade band program. At the tender age of 12 she began performing professionally with a Buffalo area jazz band that consisted of all promising young musicians called "Sugar and Jazz." The group consisted of kids from ages 12-17 and stressed the importance of professionalism and emulating the big band sounds of the 1940s. Although she continued to perform in various jazz groups as she grew up, it was with this group that Cindy fell in love with performance, jazz music, and especially the trumpet. Cindy went on to earn a bachelors degree in jazz studies from Ithaca College, and a masters degree in jazz trumpet performance from the New England Conservatory. It was there that she studied with and was influenced by many jazz greats including John McNeil, Bob Brookmeyer, Jerry Bergonzi, George Russell and Steve Lacy. After earning her degrees she immediately moved to the New York City area to begin to cut her musical teeth, playing and performing with her own unique sound. As a sideman Cindy has toured and recorded extensively with various funk, top 40, R&B, jazz-fusion, and straight ahead jazz groups performing everywhere from Emmy Awards parties to the Superbowl. Cindy is a believer in giving back and has long continued to share her musical knowledge with others. As a jazz educator she regularly conducts jazz workshops all over the country. As a smooth jazz soloist Cindy recently had the privilege of touring with legendary jazz group Pieces of a Dream, currently performs in the New York City area with the Sly Geralds Band (bassist to Maceo Parker) and is in the process of reforming her own band that will soon set to the road in support of the new record, with a dynamic new show. The word has found it's way to the streets and the early accolades are already beginning to ramp up as she has been recently heralded as "one of the best young players I have heard in some time" by city sound radio's Dick Fairchild, and that she "may pave the way for future female trumpet players" by Akbar-Nour (smoothjazznowcom). Now the newest addition to the Trippin' N' Rhythm family, Cindy's label debut, entitled "Bloom," draws upon all aspects of her musicianship. In the making of this album, Cindy had the privilege of writing with and being produced by Grammy award winning producer Michael Broening (George Benson). The tracks boast of some of the industry’s funkiest and most gifted sidemen and soloists including bassists Mel Brown and Mario Mendivil, drummers Tony Morra, John Herrera and Mike White, guitarists Freddie Fox, Thano Sahnas, and Jay Soto, saxophonist Dominic Amato, and producer Michael Broening ..s. Cindy is also joined on the album by Trippin' N' Rhythm label mate Tim Bowman on guitar. "Bloom" is a rich and vibrant showcase of everything that is Cindy Bradley - passion, optimism and a rich command and feel for her instrument. From smooth and sultry flugelhorn tracks like ‘Before I Goâ€, the ultra funky set "Brooklyn Bounce,†to the irresistibly soulful title track, "Bloom" is self fulfilling in that Cindy, after much effort and desire, is finally ready to establish her place among the new guard in smooth jazz. She brings with her a renewed sense of excitement to a format that is hungry for fresh new talent. Says label VP Jeff Lunt "I honestly can't recall a time in my 26 plus years in the business that I have been this excited about a new artist. Cindy's openness, honesty and the sheer volume of talent that she brings to the table is absolutely infectious and refreshing and should do well to launch her into the smooth jazz stratosphere. She is an absolute one of a kind and this record combined with the brilliant touch of the great Michael B will set smooth jazz right on it's collective ear". Given her good seed stock, the fertile soil (trippin ‘N’ Rhythm), and the careful nurturing (Michael Broening), Cindy’s time has come and she is ready to “Bloom†as one of smooth jazz’s brightest new stars. Not Just another pretty face…… this girl is for real!!
