Jazz at Bradley

The jazz program at Bradley includes two big bands, a combo, and a year-long Jazz Improvisation sequence.

The Bradley Jazz Ensemble, under the leadership of Dr. Todd Kelly, is the most visible ensemble in the Bradley Jazz program. In past years, they have performed at the Illinois Collegiate Jazz Festival and the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival, as well as European tours in 2003, 2006 and 2009.

They have brought many world renowned jazz clinicians and soloists to the Bradley campus, including Mike Lee, The Mike Vax Big Band, Matt Wilson, Rachael Lee, Allen Vizzutti, Ron Jones, Tom Garling, Byron Stripling, Chris Vadala, the Jeff Hamilton Trio, Wayne Bergeron, and Denis DiBlasio. Each spring, the Bradley Jazz Festival is held on campus. They also perform a yearly tribute concert – past tributes have included Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra, and “A Tribute to the Golden Age of Swing.” This year, they presented “A Tribute to Frank Sinatra.”

In the summer of 2006, the Jazz Ensemble performed to enthusiastic audiences in France, Switzerland, and Italy, including performances at the prestigious Brienz, Montreux, Tuscany, and Umbria Jazz Festivals. They returned to Europe in the summer of 2009, performing for ten days in Italy.

The spring of 2007 marked the release of their first CD, entitled “Swing Swing Swing with the Bradley Jazz Ensemble.” It is available at the Bradley bookstore, Kidder Music Center, Barnes and Noble, and online at www.cdbaby.com/bradleyjazz.

The Bradley Jazz Combo is made up of the finest improvisers on campus. They perform frequently both on and off campus. In 2006, they performed at the Vienne Jazz Festival in France.

The Bradley Jazz Lab Band meets once a week, and performs twice each semester for campus concerts.

All Bradley jazz groups are open, by audition, to any student, regardless of their major. Auditions take place during the first week of classes during the fall semester.

For more information about Jazz at Bradley, contact Dr. Todd Kelly at 309-677-2597, or tkelly@bradley.edu.