Welcome to Jeff Bradshaw & Friends

Jeff Bradshaw is an award-winning trombone player, recording artist and bandleader who has performed and recorded with Jill ScottJay ZMichael JacksonThe RootsMarsha Ambrosius and many more.

At the center of the Neo-soul movement...

Jeff has been at the center of the Neo-soul movement that emerged out of Philadelphia, becoming an important influencer of that eclectic scene. Like recent best-sellers by Robert Glasper, his two acclaimed solo albums have delivered a unique fusion of R&B, Jazz and Gospel.

Home: One Special Night At The Kimmel Center

For Home, which is co-produced by Robert Glasper, Bradshaw brought together a stellar lineup of great vocalists and musicians backed by a killer 20 piece band at Philadelphia’s premiere arts venue, The Kimmel Center, for a once-in-a-lifetime performance recorded in front of a rapturous sold-out audience.

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 hip, a 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, waiting and hoping for an opportunity to make his mark in music, an opportunity that did not come for seven long years. In 1994, Bradshaw began to meet musicians, singers and producers on the Philly scene he went on to become the architect 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.’

A few years later, Bradshaw was invited by Jill Scott to take part in the recording of her first album and to tour with her after its breakthrough release. This led to a meeting with Hidden Beach Recordings CEO Steve McKeever, who afforded Jeff the opportunity to record his first album as a leader in 2002, BONE DEEP. Bradshaw told Mr. McKeever that they could change people’s perception of what a lead instrument in popular music could be. That acclaimed first album led to busy years of touring, with other artists and on his own, as well as session work with a wide array of hip-hop, R & B and jazz artists. In 2013, Bradshaw released his second album, which was released simultaneously as both a single disc and a double CD set. Most recently, a couple Jeff Bradshaw recordings were included on the soundtrack of the James Brown biopic GET ON UP. All of that was simply preparation for HOME, Jeff Bradshaw’s ultimate musical statement.

“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

“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

“Overall, Jeff Bradshaw has made a special live album with Home. He’s assembled a star-studded cast who expand their awesome musical abilities even further.  He complements his featured guests like a champ and when it comes to soloing, his consummate musicianship is unmatched.” 

– Brent M. Faulkner, Star Pulse

“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

“Jeff Bradshaw is a revolutionary. The North Philadelphia-born, self-taught trombonist’s name may be unfamiliar to some, but if you’re a fan of the good, good music you feel from your soul right down to your toes, you’ve definitely heard Bradshaw’s ‘bone.”

– Rhonda Nicole, Soul Train

A few years after that experience, the beautiful Jill Scott had begun to record her first album and Mr. Bradshaw was invited to become a part of that. He enjoyed every bit of recording on that record, and before he knew it, they were on the road showing the world who Jill Scott was.”

– All About Jazz

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

Experience Jeff Bradshaw for Yourself

 

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.

For questions, fees, availability and bookings feel free to contact us.

Music

Upcoming Shows

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Our booking services are global, specializing in festivals, performing arts centers, concert halls, clubs, colleges and universities, private functions, and corporate events. Contact us for artist information, availability and fees.

Send an email to Booking@DSElive.com or complete the contact form to submit formal offers and booking inquiries.

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