Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Belgrave's late show Saturday evening underscored the point, the trumpeter bringing his sextet to Andy's for a three-night engagement, with a sold-out house hanging on every note. To hear Belgrave under such inviting conditions at Andy's was appealing enough.
But to catch Belgrave performing with his touring band -- rather than with a pickup rhythm section -- was to gain new appreciation for his work."
- Chicago Tribune
"The audience was completely absorbed, caught in the magic and loving every moment."
- Jazz Review
"This is the unmistakable sound of a top-flight band that has come into its own and is capable of going just about anywhere musically."
- Jazz Times
"Along with their emphasis on hard-bop entertainment values, on good times, flash and swing, they have solid music to offer."
- Chicago Sun Times
"He has the tools, the intelligence, the ability and the talents. The future looks bright for Croker." So said jazz superstar Wynton Marsalis about Theo Croker's abilities on the trumpet as a 16-year-old high school student. It doesn't hurt that he's also the grandson of legendary trumpeter Adolphus "Doc" Cheatham, from whom he seems to have inherited his musical gift. Croker, now 22, has impressed audiences and established greats alike with his playing in New York City, and now he is taking his act on the road. His band, the Theo Croker Sextet, has been playing in Shanghai for two months on the opening leg of an international sojourn. He sat down to tell EuroBiz about performing in China and what it means to be a musician in the digital age. read full article at: http://www.sinomedia.net/eurobiz/v200711/per0711.html
- Eurobiz Magazine
Theo Croker's The Fundamentals is a meticulous record. In the liner notes, the 21-year-old grandson of Doc Cheatham, who composed and arranged every song, describes many of the tunes in technical terms. This attention to detail—and perhaps also a need for the listener to understand the songs on levels both technical and non-technical—allows the record to be intricate without being cryptic.
- All About Jazz
Discography
Nascent, release planned Jan. 2008
Photos
Bio
Native Detroiter, Brenda Bradley hails from authentic and diverse musical roots honed in a range of influences from Billy Holliday to Mahalia Jackson. Enchanted by Motown and gospel singing aunts and a saxophone playing father, she began an earnest love affair with writing and producing songs and spoken word in 2001.
This led to performances with a number of leading Jazz artists who become influential in her life and budding career, including trumpeter, Marcus Belgrave and the late Dr. Teddy Harris. Performance venues include Thalian Hall (North Carolina), Nuyorican Cafe (New York), Baker's Keyboard Lounge, Detroit Institute of Arts, the Ford Detroit Jazz Festival and Comerica TasteFest (Detroit).
Started with early exposure to the stage with gospel music, she progressed to small ensemble performances including Renaissance period music and jazz. She has written and produced songs in all genres, ranging from Alternative Rock to urban contemporary. However, her true loves and current pursuits lie in Jazz vocals and Spoken Word.
Although the spirit of a ballad does not escape her, the movement and artistic opportunities for up-tempo straight ahead and bebop standards, combined with spoken word interludes are emerging as uniquely memorable trademarks.
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