Bobby Lee Bradford
Bobby Lee Bradford is an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, bandleader, composer, and educator. Born in Mississippi in 1934, Bradford’s family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1946. In 1953, he moved to Los Angeles California where he joined Ornette Coleman’s band, but was drafted into the U.S. Air Force. From 1954-58, Bradford played in military bands before rejoining Coleman’s ensemble from 61-63. In 1971-72, Bradford recorded with Ornette Coleman on the album Science Fiction (Columbia Records) alongside Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, and Ed Blackwell.
Upon leaving Ornette Coleman’s band, Bradford began a decades long musical partnership with John Carter, woodwind artist and composer. This partnership produced many notable international festival performances and recordings, including Flight for Four (1969), Self Determination Music (1970), Secrets (1973), Comin’ On (1989), and West Coast Hot (1991).
In addition to his work with Carter, Bradford has led many ensembles and collaborations with artists including Vinny Golia, Mark Dresser, William Roper, Eric Dolphy, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Ingebrigt Håker-Flaten, Bob Stewart, Charlie Haden, George Lewis (trombone), James Newton, Frode Gjerstad, Don Preston, Henry Franklin, Paal Nilssen-Love, and David Murray, who was previously a student of his in the 1970s.
Recently, Bradford released a suite of original music honoring Jackie Robinson’s centennial entitled Stealin’ Home (2021). Sponsored by the Baseball Reliquary, it was featured on ESPN.
In October 2009, Bradford became the second recipient of the Festival of New Trumpet Music's Award of Recognition. In 2022, Bradford was The Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Los Angeles Treasure Award recipient.
Bradford was a Professor of Jazz Studies and Trumpet at Pasadena City College for over 30 years. After 44 years, Bradford retired in 2021 as a lecturer from Pomona College where he taught the history of jazz and led the school's jazz ensemble. He holds a B.M. degree from Huston–Tillotson College (now Huston–Tillotson University) in Austin, Texas. He currently resides in Altadena, CA.
