*For more than two decades – and counting – trombonist and recording extraordinaire Jeff “Mr. Trombone” Bradshaw has been boldly mixing musical sounds and styles rooted in soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, funk, and gospel genres. His approach to blending musical sounds and styles is akin to a brilliant scientist constantly searching to perfect an elixir for the ears, minds, and spirits of his audiences with the goal of healing them.
Simply put, Bradshaw refuses to be confined to a single genre of music, instead choosing to record and perform a diverse range of styles. In essence, Mr. Trombone, a name given to Bradshaw by singing superstar Jill Scott years ago, is focused on leaving his indelible fingerprints on eclectic music as he evolves musically.
Today, September 12, the brilliant musical maturation of Bradshaw’s journey continues as he releases his sixth studio album, titled “The Cure,” on Music Matters/SRG Jazz.
“I’m excited that ‘The Cure’ is finally released,” said Bradshaw in an exclusive interview with Lee Bailey’s EURweb. “I named the album ‘The Cure’ because after recording the 10 songs on the record, the music felt like a collective healing. I feel like the world is sick with the disease of deep hate and racism like we’ve never seen before. I believe that when something is sick, it needs a cure, and God’s love through this new music is The Cure.”
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Helping Bradshaw to spread the cure musically, vocally, and spiritually are such featured guest artists as Anthony Hamilton (vocalist), Dave Hollister (vocalist), Damien Escobar (violinist), and Jeff Lorber (keyboardist), Claude Villani (musician and producer), Lewis Sky (vocalist), Lin Roundtree (trumpeter), Keith Phelps (keyboardist), James Alexander (musician), Jeff Coffin (saxophonist), Montez Garner (bassist), and Hiruy Tirfe (saxophonist).
At the center of “The Cure” is the trombone styling of Bradshaw.
The sound that he produces on the recordings is rich, warm, and powerful, as it shifts from a mellow, vocal-like smoothness to a bold, brassy roar.
“When I listen to my first album in 2003 and now listen to my new album in 2025, I can hear the evolution of my music and style of playing,” said Bradshaw. “With each album I hear and feel God in the music.”
Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Bradshaw’s musical roots are deep and long. He points to his father, a musician, vocalist, and pastor, as an early inspiration in guiding his son to playing the trombone.
“My father is the main reason why I am a musician,” Bradshaw said. “He played trombone, trumpet, guitar, and sousaphone. He taught me how to play the trombone by having me play old gospel songs. I learned to play trombone by playing the words to old gospel songs and emulating the voices I was hearing from the spiritual songs. The trombone is an extension of my voice. That is why my playing is so lyrical. That is why nobody sounds like me.”
Over the years, Jeff Bradshaw has performed with many music heavyweights across broad genres. Artists who Bradshaw has either recorded with or performed in concert with include, but are not limited to, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild, Darius Rucker, Mary J. Blige, Earth Wind & Fire, Kirk Franklin, Dave Kos, Jay Z, The Roots, and The Queens Tour featuring Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, Chaka Khan.
While Bradshaw has been recording and performing nationally and internationally for decades, he gives other noted trombonists his respect.
“J.J. Johnson is probably the greatest trombone player ever to touch the horn. Most trombonists, like myself, regard him as the G.O.A.T.,” Bradshaw. “Fred Wesley is one of my distant mentors and is somebody who I love and has spoken musically into my life. Trombone Shorty is one of my baby brothers in the music and has been on two of my albums. He is a very dear friend.”
Bradshaw continued.
“When you hear Fred Wesley play trombone, you know it’s Fred Wesley. When you heard the late J.J. Johnson play, you knew it was him,” said Bradshaw. “When you hear Trombone Shorty, you know it’s him. And when you hear me, Jeff Bradshaw play, I want people to always know it’s me because of my signature sound and style of playing.”
Of late, Bradshaw has been touring with smooth jazz saxophonist and legend Dave Koz and The Summer Horns on a 31-day national and international tour. In August of this year, Koz and his bandmates, including Bradshaw, played an impromptu jam session on a grounded flight from St. Louis to Seattle with a plane full of passengers. The jam session went viral and has been viewed by millions on social media platforms and was even shown on Good Morning America.
“Dave Kos is a giant in the smooth jazz industry, and he’s a kind and gentle person and someone I consider a big brother,” Bradshaw said. “He is an amazing musician and visionary and demands the best from the musicians in his band, something that I love.”
In addition to performing with Kos, Bradshaw is ready to perform again with another group of musicians to back The Queens Tour, featuring Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Stephanie Mills, and Gladys Knight.
For much of September, October, and beyond, Bradshaw will also headline his own group with solo shows featuring music from “The Cure” and tunes from his previous albums. During the week of Thanksgiving 2025, Bradshaw’s group will play shows in London and Reading, England.
“I’m excited about my new album and for the opportunity to play for the people,” said Bradshaw. “At the end of the day, I just want to be known and appreciated as someone who creates a beautiful journey through music, regardless of its genres. I hope that the people who hear my music will be healed by it. ”
Music from “The Cure” and other Jeff Bradshaw compositions is available on all streaming platforms. Follow Bradshaw on all social media platforms via IAMJEFFBRADSHAW.
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Catch Jeff Bradshaw landing in a city near you:
September 13 Wetumpka, AL – PLB
September 14 St. Louis, MO – PLB
September 16 Norfolk, VA – PLB
September 19 Greensboro, NC – PLB
September 20 Atlanta, GA – PLB
September 21 Memphis, TN – PLB
September 25 Newark, NJ – PLB
September 27 Milwaukee, WI – PLB
September 28 Detroit, MI – PLB
October 3 Washington, DC – PLB
October 4 Atlantic City, NJ – PLB
October 5 Cleveland, OH – PLB
October 12 Washington, DC – JBS
November 1 Las Vegas, NV – PLB
November 7-9 Glendale AZ – JBS
November 14 Joliet, IL – PLB
November 15 Mount Pleasant, MI – PLB
November 16 Oakland, CA – JBS
November 18 Charlotte, NC – JBS
November 20 Atlanta, GA – JBS
November 26 London, UK – JBS
November 28 Reading, UK – JBS
December 19 – 21 Philadelphia, PA – JBS
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MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Jeff Bradshaw Strides with STRONGER, His NAACP Image Award Nominated Jazz Release / WATCH
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