Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Brad Bietry is a piano tickler. Much as a horse whisperer uses sympathetic gestures to coax agitation out of horses, Bietry draws sophisticated, relaxing jazz from a piano to strip away the stress and complement a martini. Bietry comes from a line of pianists that traces back four generations, and has dedicated himself to the pursuit of jazz piano, calling it a "lifelong habit." He began playing at 9 and graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Following graduation, he moved to Florida and performed at Disney World and on cruise ships, as well as worldwide with gospel artist Ron Kenoly as musical director, keyboardist and arranger. "After that," he says, "I wanted something a little more secure." He found that security in the Air Force, playing with the Academy Falconiers Jazz Ensemble. "I don't fly any planes," he says. "I have to unload the truck." Despite his impressive jazz piano résumé, Bietry says perfect performance is never achieved. He's on track to graduate from Denver University in fall 2007 with a master's in jazz performance. But this fall, he plans to start The Broadmoor School for the Performing Arts, which will run out of the Colorado Springs School and feature ensemble and private lessons.
Also this fall, the Brad Bietry Jazz Group will release its second disc, The Quest. A fine mixture of originals and standards, The Quest will feature the best of what you can hear live, in town, six days a week.
- The Independent - Josh Johnson
Discography
The Quest (2006)
Skylark (2005)
You can listen to samples from our two CDs at http://cdbaby.com/cd/bradbietryjazz2
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Bio
Brad Bietry is a professional jazz pianist. He has been playing for 24 years. He was a former pianist in the USAF Academy Falconiers Jazz Ensemble. He moved to Colorado Springs in March 2003 after 6 long weeks of basic training in San Antonio, TX. He has performed with several well known artist like Joe Walsh, Ira Sullivan, Norm Leyden, The New York Voices, Giacomo Gates, Mike Vax, Carol Lawrence. He toured internationally with Black Gospel Artist Ron Kenoly as his musical director/keyboardist/arranger. Since he’s been in Colorado, Brad has performed with John Wise, Delta 88’s, Lila Mori, The Jukes, and Brenda Miles. The Brad Bietry Jazz Group is currently performing jazz, blues, and originals Fridays at Neptunes Café and Saturday nights at Antlers Hilton. Before he joined the USAF, he lived in Orlando, FL performing at Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. He has also worked for Norwegian, Princess, and Carnival Cruise Lines as a jazz pianist. Brad is a 1997 graduate of Berklee College Of Music in Boston. He received the 1997 Berklee Jazz Pianist Award.
The Brad Bietry Jazz group consists of four talented musicians in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They are Geoff Torres (Tenor and Soprano Saxophone), J.R. Erb (Bass), Stefan Flores (Drums), and Brad Bietry (Piano). Brad Bietry started the group in January 2005 after getting a steady Friday night jazz gig at The Coffee Warehouse in downtown Colorado Springs. Brad and Geoff are both members of the USAF Academy Band playing in the Falconiers Jazz Ensemble. JR Erb is a veteran of the Air Force Band career field. JR is currently assigned to the Air Force Academy as a Military Training Instructor. Stefan Flores is one of the areas most sought after drummers. He's been playing professionally for many years in many different groups of all genres of music.
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