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Bradley Joseph

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Bradley Joseph

Bradley Joseph, (born 1965, Willmar, Minnesota), is an American composer, pianist, keyboardist, arranger, and recording artist. He has worked extensively on music ranging from rock and pop to rhythm and blues and orchestration, and has worked with numerous recording artists from RCA, Epic, Warner Brothers, and Polygram Records.[1] He has spent many years performing on the international stage as keyboardist and co-musical director for Grammy-winner Sheena Easton, and lead keyboardist with Yanni through six major concert tours. He appears in the 1993 10x platinum album and video, Yanni Live at the Acropolis, and returned to the concert stage for Yanni's Ethnicity World Tour in 2003.[2]

A life-long quest for self expression led him to begin his own solo career in 1994, when he independently released Hear The Masses. This debut album was then followed by Rapture, released on the Narada label in 1997. His next seven albums were released on his own label, Robbins Island Music, which he found the time to compose and complete even though he was still deeply involved with touring. His musical landscapes range from original solo piano pieces to full-blown orchestral compositions and arrangements, comfortably reaching audiences of contemporary instrumental, easy listening, smooth jazz, new age, and classical music formats.

Biography

Bradley was born and raised in Willmar, Minnesota. With his father as an influence, he started playing classical piano at age eight. While playing in the jazz band in junior high, he took a concert field trip which left no doubt that music was the only possible path in his future: "I saw Buddy Rich perform, I sat in the first row and when Buddy's sax player stood up to take his first solo something just clicked - the world closed in around me. I felt the power of music and knew that it was something special, a gift to be shared."[3] He later played trombone, sax, and guitar with the jazz band and choir through high school and college, studying music at Moorhead State University. He then settled down to the piano and keyboards; coming of age as a musician in the Twin Cities' rock and roll scene, heading up many of his own bands.[4]

Early career

Yanni

In 1988, Joseph caught the attention of contemporary instrumental artist, Yanni, via mutual friend, guitarist Dugan McNeill. When Yanni heard a demo tape of Joseph's compositions and arrangements, Joseph was hired to join his core band, replacing John Tesh.[5][6]

File:Yannilata.jpg
"Yanni Live at the Acropolis"

After moving to Los Angeles at age 23, he composed, arranged, and performed alongside Yanni for over six years as his lead keyboardist and composer-collaborator, touring throughout the U.S. and abroad as Yanni was approaching the doorstep of worldwide fame.[7] Some of these early tours included the "Reflections of Passion", "Revolution in Sound", "Dare to Dream",[8] "Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts" 1993 and 1994 concert tours, as well as performing in-concert in Germany that was broadcast throughout Europe and seen by 30 to 40 million viewers.[9] Joseph is also featured on the 10 x platinum album and video, "Yanni Live at the Acropolis", the second best-selling music video of all time.[10] He later returned as a featured instrumentalist on Yanni's 2003 "Ethnicity World Tour".[11]

Sheena Easton

Additionally, Joseph performed with Grammy-winner, Sheena Easton, for five years as her co-musical director and lead keyboardist. "It was a great transition from Yanni because it made me musically aware again", he said in reference to Easton's R&B style. "I went back to where I started but it felt like a new invention."[4] Extensive tour venues with Sheena Easton included Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and the United States, as well as routine appearances in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He also appeared with her on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" when she performed her new single at the time, "My Cheri".[12]

Solo career

File:Hear the Masses.gif
First release of "Hear The Masses", 1994

In 1994, between world tours, Joseph released his debut album, "Hear The Masses", a self-produced, self-published release under the More Core Records label. It consists of 10 original compositions ranging from upbeat piano to lush orchestral ballads. Joseph invited many of his Yanni bandmates to contribute including Charlie Adams (drums, percussion); Ric Fierabracci (fretless bass); Jeanette Clinger (vocals), and Grammy-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat whose virtuostic violin attracts attention in the driving opening song, "Rose Colored Glasses". Other guest artists include Larry Preston (guitar), and Terry Brau, featured on numerous Bradley Joseph recordings, playing trumpet, saxophone and fluegelhorn.

Joseph's style on his debut album attracted the attention of major record label Narada Productions, a Virgin Records subsidiary. This resulted in "Rapture", released in March 1997. Joseph wrote and conducted all of the scores, bringing in a 50-piece orchestra to help bring his musical vision to life. "Rapture" features intimate piano pieces, quartets, and full orchestrations, combining smooth jazz with contemporary instrumental themes. In addition, one of Joseph's compositions, "The Glen", was written for the album "Stories", a Narada Artist Collection, and is now also featured on "20 Years of Narada Piano". His work is included in other Narada compilation projects as well.

An artist in constant evolution, Joseph started his own record label in 1998, Robbins Island Music, composing, producing, recording, and distributing to a world-wide audience. His third album then, "Solo Journey", signifying his independence, was released in 1999, consisting of 11 original solo piano compositions. Later releases include "Christmas Around the World", reaching NAV's top 100 radio playlist;[13] and "One Deep Breath", also holding a position on NAV's top 100 radio chart for over six months.[14] Bill Binkelman of Wind and Wire Magazine writes that "One Deep Breath" departs dramatically from the previous more explosive and dynamic music on his first two recordings, "Hear The Masses" and "Rapture", having two separate "personalities": piano and keyboard-based ambient/new age soundscapes and more adult contemporary/classically-flavored songs.[15]

"The Journey Continues", released 01 November 2003

Joseph wrote his next album after sound checks during Yanni's "Ethnicity" tour resulting in "The Journey Continues" featuring Joseph on solo piano and voted as one of the top 15 recordings of 2003 by Michael Debbage, reviewer for Wind and Wire Magazine.[16] Debbage writes, "One strength of Bradley Joseph as an artist has been his keen ability to write inspiring music with appropriately titled songs that express that thought non-verbally".[17]

Orange Music, located in Singapore, released two Bradley Joseph compilation CDs; "The Road Ahead" and "In The Heart of Everyone", in addition to re-releasing his "Christmas Around the World" album, all being distributed throughout Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia.[18] More recent releases include "For The Love Of It" and "Piano Love Songs" in which Joseph uses piano, orchestra, and soft rhythms to cover popular enduring melodies such as "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (Burt Bacharach), and "Fields of Gold" (Sting}. Additionally, a DVD was released using Joseph's music throughout, "Isle Royale Impressions" containing footage of wildlife from the Isle Royale National Park in Michigan.

Bradley Joseph was named one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" (TOYM) of 2004.[19][20] The award honors individuals across the state under 40 who make a positive impact on their community. Past recipients include Mark Dayton, Paul Douglas, Marlene Johnson, Walter Mondale, Martin Sabo, Dave Winfield, Tim Penny, Matt Blair, and Wheelock Whitney.

His music can be heard in regular rotation in the United States and Canada by more than 160 major radio networks including XM Satellite Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, as well as in Japan, United Kingdom, Spain, China, South-East Asia, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia.[21][22]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Credits

Date of
release		 Title Artist Label
1993 In My Time Yanni Private Music
1994 Yanni Live at the Acropolis Yanni Private Music
1997 Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection) Various Narada
1997 Narada Smooth Jazz Various Narada
1997 New Age Music & New Sounds Vol. 67 - "Liberty" Various Oreade Music
1997 The Next Generation - Narada Sampler Various Narada
1998 Stories (Narada Artist Collection) Various Narada
2001 20 Years of Narada Piano Various Narada

References

  1. ^ Bio from: Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1994 - Official concert program. 1994. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Metro People Bradley Joseph". St. Paul Pioneer Press. 2004-09-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ Quote: "Official Bio". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  4. ^ a b Mikelson, Terry (1999-07-15). "Joseph Has Encountered Fame". Brainerd Dispatch. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "three" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ Yanni (2002). Yanni in Words. Miramax Books. p. 318. 1-4013-5194-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Reflections bio". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  7. ^ "Bradley Joseph to play for Concerts in the Park". Brainerd Dispatch. 1999-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ Bio from: Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1993 - Official concert program. 1993. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ Miller, Gary (1995-03-21). "Heeeeeere's Bradley". West Central Tribune. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ "Yanni Career Highlights" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  11. ^ Ethnicity World Tour 2003-2004 - Official concert program. 2003. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ Miller, Gary (1995-03-24). "Joseph 'Tonight Show'". West Central Tribune Brainerd Dispatch. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ New Age Voice, currently "New Age Reporter". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  14. ^ "2002 New Age Voice Top 100 Radio Chart". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  15. ^ Review: "One Deep Breath". Binkelman, Bill. "Wind and Wire Magazine". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  16. ^ "Wind and Wire Magazine (best of 2003)". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  17. ^ Review: "The Journey Continues". Debbage, Michael. "Wind and Wire Magazine". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  18. ^ Catalog: "Orange Music". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  19. ^ Drey, Patricia (2004-09-15). "WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan". White Bear Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ "TOYM Award". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  21. ^ "XM Satellite Radio playlist". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  22. ^ "Sirius Satellite Radio playlist". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
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