Bobby Bradford


Bobby Lee Bradford is an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, bandleader, and composer. In addition to his solo work, Bradford is noted for his work with John Carter, Vinny Golia and Ornette Coleman. In October 2009, Bradford became the second recipient of the Festival of New Trumpet Music's Award of Recognition. He taught at Pomona College for 44 years.

Biography

Bobby Lee Bradford's life began in Mississippi; he and his family then moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1946. He moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1953 where he reunited with Ornette Coleman, whom he had previously known in Texas. Bradford subsequently joined Coleman's ensemble, but was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and replaced by Don Cherry.
After playing in military bands from late 1954 to late 1958, he rejoined Coleman's quartet from 1961 to 1963, which infrequently performed in public, but was indeed recorded under Coleman's Atlantic contract. These tapes were among those many destroyed in the Great Atlantic Vault Fire. Freddie Hubbard acted as Bradford's replacement upon his departure to return to the West Coast and pursue further studies. Bradford soon began a long-running and relatively well-documented association with the clarinetist John Carter, a pairing that brought both increased exposure at international festivals. Following Carter's death in 1991, Bradford fronted his own ensemble known as The Mo'tet, with which he has continued to perform since. He is the father of jazz vocalist Carmen Bradford.
He holds a B.M. degree from Huston–Tillotson College in Austin, Texas.
In addition to Coleman, Bradford has performed with Eric Dolphy, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Ingebrigt Håker-Flaten, Bob Stewart, Charlie Haden, George Lewis, James Newton, Frode Gjerstad, Vinny Golia, Paal Nilssen-Love, and David Murray, who was previously a student of his in the 1970s.
He was a lecturer at Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he taught the history of jazz and led the school's jazz ensemble. After 44 years at the college, he retired in June 2021.
Bradford was among those who lost their Altadena, California homes in the Eaton Fire of January 2025.

Discography

As leader

Flight for Four Seeking with New Art Jazz Ensemble Self Determination Music with John Carter Secrets with John Carter Bobby Bradford with John Stevens and the Spontaneous Music Ensemble Love's Dream Vols. 1 & 2 with John Stevens Lost in L.A. Live One Night Stand Comin' On with John Carter West Coast Hot with John Carter Tandem 1 with John Carter Tandem 2 with John Carter Purple Gums with Francis Wong & William Roper Mo' Betta Butta with Francis Wong & William Roper Reknes with Frode Gjerstad Varistar with Tom Heasley Live in LA with Mark Dresser Dragon with Frode Gjerstad, Kampen with Frode Gjerstad, Silver Cornet with Frode Gjerstad No U-Turn Live in Pasadena 1975 with John Carter The Delaware River with Frode Gjerstad Live at the Open Gate with Hafez Modirzadeh Live at the Magic Triangle with Hafez Modirzadeh Live at the Blue Whale with Hafez Modirzadeh Blue Cat with Frode Gjerstad
With Circulasione Totale OrchestraOpen Port Bandwidth
  • ''PhilaOslo''

As sideman

With John CarterVariations Night Fire Dauwhe Castles of Ghana Dance of the Love Ghosts Fields Shadows On a Wall
With Vinny GoliaCompositions for Large Ensemble Lineage Sfumato Take Your Time Live at the Century City Playhouse Los Angeles 1979
With David MurrayMurray's Steps Death of a Sideman MX Be My Monster Love
With others