“It’s the kind of aural utopia for which true music lovers literally salivate: lush, live instrumentation anchoring multiple textures and tempos in each selection, all enhanced by a dream line-up of guest players and vocalists.”
– Melody Charles, Soul Tracks
Biography
Jeff Bradshaw was born in North Philadelphia. His is father was a minister so his formative musical experiences were in church, where brass bands were a staple. Jeff amazingly never took formal lessons. The first instrument he began playing was the snare drum. Following that he began playing baritone horn and sousaphone. He recalls one life-changing day in high school when everyone was asked to stand in front of the instrument they would like to play. Students crowded around the drums, guitars, saxophones, trumpets, percussion, and woodwinds, but not one person was standing near the stack of trombones in the corner. He choose to play trombone and became determined to make the trombone a hip, cool instrument in mainstream music, not just jazz. After graduation from high school, finances did not permit him to enroll in college so he took a variety of jobs. In 1994, Bradshaw began to meet musicians, singers and producers on the Philly scene and he went on to join the architects of the neo-soul revolution: Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson, Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter of the Roots, James Poyser, Andre Harris, Vidal Davis, DJ Jazzy Jeff, King Britt, Ivan Barrios, Carvin Higgons, and many others. These friendships led to Bradshaw recording with the likes of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Floetry, Darius Ricker, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, The Roots, Musiq Soulchild and more. Then one night, when playing in a band led by trumpeter Jafar Barron, the leader’s absence afforded Bradshaw the opportunity to step forward and lead the hip-hop soul band. He was well on the way to achieving his goal of making the trombone ‘cool.’
“Philly’s own Jeff Bradshaw has been the righthand-horn-man for some of the most highly-touted stage shows the worlds of hip-hop and soul have ever known, backing and arranging horns for the likes of Jill Scott, Jay Z, Erykah Badu and Kirk Franklin. But today it’s time to give you a taste of his own soul-strutting stuff.”
– Zo, Okay Player
Festival Appearances:
- Essence Festival
- Berks Jazz Festival
- Dolphin County Jazz & Wine Festival
- Lake Arbor Jazz Festival
- Philadelphia Jazz Festival
- Capital Jazz Festival
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
- The Columbus Jazz & Rib Festival
- Capital Jazz Super Cruise
- Hartford Jazz Festival
- Atlanta Jazz Festival
- The Trenton Music Festival
- Mercer County Jazz Festival
- Jacksonville Beach Jazz Festival
- Jazzfest West
- Tampa Jazz Festival
- Queen City Jazz Festival
- Cape Town Jazz Festival
- Penns Landing Jam on the River
- Unity Day Music Festival
- Hampton Jazz Festival
- BB Jazz Festival
- Long Beach Jazz Festival
- Derby City Jazz Festival
- Willingboro Jazz Festival
- Mellon Jazz Festival
- Barbados Jazz Festival
- Hampton Jazz Festival
When you attend a show with Jeff Bradshaw & Friends, you never know exactly what you’re going to see but you can be sure it’ll stay with you for life! To say Mr. Bradshaw is “connected” is the understatement of the century. This cat has played with just about EVERYBODY!!!!
Some of Mr. Bradshaw’s “Friends”
- Robert Randolph
- Kenny Lattimore
- Carl Thomas
- Eric Roberson
- Maysa
- Robert Glasper
- Chris McBride
- Raheem DeVaughn
- Tweet
- Bilal
- Najee
- Eric Darius
- Teedra Moses
- Glenn Lewis
- Algebra Blessett
- Jackiem Joyner
- N’Dambe
- Lin Roundtree
- Frank McComb
- Paula Champion
“Jeff Bradshaw’s sound is positioned somewhere between jazz-fusion and neo-soul. Incorporating jazz, soul, and the occasional African rhythm, Bradshaw evokes George Benson, George Duke, and Earth, Wind & Fire at their most prolific.”
– Mervin W. Malone, Pop Matters
Videos:
Once upon a time R&B was known for great live performances marked by passion, spontaneity and even transcendence through the great soul revues at such storied venues as The Apollo Theater, The Howard Theater and The Uptown.The musicians playing behind the singers were often the finest players from the realms of R&B jazz and gospel, who delivered intricate arrangements, electrifying solos and undeniable groove. In recent times, such performances have been rare but the hunger for that special sort of musical experience is still there and maybe it just takes someone with great determination and vision to bring it back. Jeff Bradshaw, a key player in Philadelphia’s influential neo-soul scene is the man with such vision.