Be sure to follow Bradley BLOG on his tour through the Southwest by clicking here

Bradley Leighton Brings Fire and Flair on his “Music For Life Tour”

“You may have never heard the flute played like this until you’ve heard Bradley Leighton,” wrote Susan Frances of JazzReview.com. “He turns the flute into whatever instrument he wants it to be.”

Apr 21, 2010 – Pacific Coast Jazz label artist Bradley Leighton has a unique and powerful sound bringing a fire and flair not usually heard nor expected from a flutist. Jim Santella of the LA Jazz Scene wrote, “he exhibits the musical virtuosity that has carried his career around the world.”  Bradley Leighton kicks off his summer “Music For Life” tour schedule as one of the featured artists at the Carlyle Club for the Pacific Coast Jazz "All Stars Concert "on June 11th. The event hosts a hot line up of musicians that include: Art Sherrod Jr, Ronny Smith, Al Williams III and a special guest appearance by Washington D.C. recording artists, Saltman Knowles. With all of these talented, swinging and funky musicians on one stage it is a guaranteed good time for all.

Then on June 13th Leighton is the featured artist at the Takoma Park Jazz Festival along with five-time Downbeat Best New Artist winner, Jeremy Pelt and the D.C. All-Stars, led by Chuck Redd. For the first time this year, the Takoma Park Jazz Festival will present a free master class with Pelt, Leighton and Redd on their respective instruments. As a Yamaha Performing Artist and flute coach, Bradley is known for his dedication to education in the arts and has developed his own workshop program, “Music For Life,” that inspires all ages to embrace the study of improvisation.

Other stops along the way on the tour include Wilbert’s Music in Cleveland, Vonn Jazz in Columbus, the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in Omaha, the Coronado Library in California and the Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Festival in Mobile, AL. 

“Music For Life Tour” performance schedule:

June 11 - 8:00 p.m. Pacific Coast Jazz All Stars Concert at The Carlyle Club, Alexandria, VA, www.thecarlyleclub.com
June 13 -1:00 p.m. The Takoma Park Jazz Festival, Takoma Park, MD, www.tpjazzfest.org/index.html
June 17 – 7:30 p.m. The Greenwich, Cincinnati, OH www.the-greenwich.com
June 18 - 10:00 p.m. Wilbert's Music, Cleveland, OH www.wilbertsmusic.com
June 20 - 7:00 p.m. Vonn Jazz, Columbus, OH www.vonnjazz.com
June 25 – 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Ames Summer Festival, Ames, IO
June 26 - 5:00 p.m. Omaha Summer Arts Festival, Omaha, NE, www.summerarts.org/2010prefestival 
July 16 - 7:00 p.m. Coronado Library, Coronado, CA, www.coronado.ca.us
August 7 - 4:00 p.m. Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Festival, Mobile, AL, www.gcehjazzfest.com
September 25 – 4:00 p.m. – Smooth Jazz & High Desert, Adelanto, CA
About Bradley Leighton

Bradley Leighton has a unique and powerful sound bringing a fire and flair not usually heard nor expected from a flutist. His recording projects Just Doin’ Our Thang (2005,) Back To The Funk (2006) and his most recent CD, Soul Collective (2009,) were nominated “Best Jazz Album of the Year” by the San Diego Music Awards Academy and continue to receive national radio airplay and promotion. Bradley has performed across the US and internationally as both sideman and bandleader for over twenty-five years. Leighton has opened for the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival (featuring artists Joyce Cooling and Gerald Albright) and has headlined for the Gainesville Jazz Festival, Tacoma Wine and Jazz Festival, Rancho Mirage Art Affaire. He continuously performs at recognized clubs like Brooklyn Jazz Café in Dallas, Scat Jazz Lounge in Houston, Humphrey’s, Anthology and Dizzy’s in San Diego along with a multitude of clubs and festivals across the United States.  

A Yamaha Performing Artist since January 2006, Leighton is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm of music as a clinician and educator. Besides teaching private lessons and being a flute coach at the Music Magnet School, Oak Park Elementary in San Diego, Bradley leads workshops and clinics for musicians of all skill levels, including, "Jazz Improvisation for the Classically Trained Flutist," and "Music For Life - Improvisation for the Adult Amateur Musician.” Bradley is a member of the Board of the San Diego Flute Guild and a participating member of the National Flute Association as well as the leader of the Rancho Penasquitos Flute Choir and the Penasquitos Jazz Flute Choir. He also devotes his time to performing for a number of philanthropic organizations in San Diego.

For more information: http://www.BradleyLeighton.com or http://www.PacificCoastJazz.com.   Contact Donna Nichols, 858-484-8609

                                                                                                                           ###

The Soul Collective will play Pittsburg, California on March 20th and the Tower Theater in Fresno, California on March 21st.

The Soul Collective consisting of Bradley Leighton, Tom Braxton (sax), Allan Phillips (keys, Cecil McBee, Jr. (bass), Evan Marks (guitar) and Richard Sellers (drums) is now booking for 2009. Please inquire at our contact page.

Monitored airplay:

Sirius Satellite Radio/"Jazz Cafe" channel ("It's On")

WEIB/Springfield, MA ("She's Gone")

 R&R Indicator: 

Music Choice/Satellite and Cable TV ("She's Gone")

WVSU/Birmingham, AL

WGRV/Melbourne, FL

KCOZ/Springfield, MO

WVAS/Montgomery, AL ("She's Gone")

KUAP/Little Rock, AR (also on "She's Gone")

DMX Cable Radio/"Jazz Vocal Blend" channel

DMX Cable Radio/"Smooth Jazz" channel

Smoothjazz.com:      43 - 36*

see link: http://smoothjazz.com/charts/

 Smoothindiestar.com:     8 - 6*

see link: http://smoothindiestar.com/chart/

WHDD/Sharon, CT

Music Choice/'Contemporary Instrumentals' Channel

Rhythms n' Motion Club/Philadelphia, PA

KEDM/Monroe, LA

KUR/Kutztown, PA
KYTE/Newport, OR
WINR/Live365.com/Internet

WVOD/Manteo, NC

Cafe Jazz/Syndicated in Canada

Jazz Radio Berlin/Germany and Internet (jazzradio.net)

PrivateLabelRadio.com/Music Service used for retail airplay (ie: theaters, restaurants, airlines)

WITD/Live 365.com/Internet

WLRQ/Melbourne, FL
WURP/Pittsburgh, PA

WHBB/Selma, AL
Groovesuite.com/Internet

KPVL/Postville, IA 

TM Century/Music sampler used for retail (Wal-Mart, Kroger) in-store airplay, armed forces radio, etc.

WBCP/Champaign-Urban, IL

KIPO/Honolulu, HI

WOEZ/Knoxville, TN
WDLT/Mobile, AL
WLFR/Atlantic City, NJ
Radioio.com Smooth Jazz/Internet
Chicosradio.com/Internet

KECG/Oakland, CA
KUNV/Las Vegas, NV

KJZT/Tulsa, OK  
Fusion Flavours/Specialty show

Choice 102.9/Boston, MA

KSHK/Kauai, HI (jazz show) 
KOKY/Little Rock, AR

Smoothsoul.net/Internet
WRTC/Hartford, CT

WSGE/Charlotte, NC

KRBB/Wichita, KS (Sunday jazz show on A/C station)
WICR/Indianapolis, IN
Smoothjazzexcursion.com/Internet

Blue Plate Radio/Live365.com/Internet
Smoothjazz.com/Internet

KQXT/San Antonio, TX (Sunday jazz show on A/C station)

WHIL/Mobile, AL

BoomerRadio.com/Internet

KCCK/Cedar Rapids, IA
KXPT/Las Vegas, NV (Sunday jazz show on Classic Hits station)

WFSK/Nashville, TN
WJAB/Huntsville, AL
WCNI/New London, CT

KTSU/Houston, TX
WRFN/Nashville, TN
WQTQ/Hartford, CT
WTCC/Springfield, MA
KYSJ/Coos Bay, OR

KMXG/Davenport, IA

Contact Cheryl Hughey
Phone: 314.660.1755
Email: cherylhughey@charter.net

"It's On!" the way - the fourth album from the critically-praised jazzman
San Diego, CA - March 3, 2008 - Flutist Bradley Leighton's fourth solo album, Soul Collective, will be released on the Pacific Coast Jazz label April 15th. This newest collection of tunes, fresh and funky - with just a touch of old school "greaze," is replete with soulful vibes. Produced and arranged by Allan Phillips, this is Phillips' third project with Leighton and Pacific Coast Jazz. Talented veteran Jason Miles is producer/arranger on two of the tracks. Heading to radio first will be "It's On!" - an upbeat groove featuring rising star Tom Braxton on sax. Also being released on radio is a smooth remake of the Hall & Oates classic hit "She's Gone," featuring sax legend Tom Scott in a soulful duet with Leighton. The radio add date for the smooth jazz format will be March 17th.

Leighton's early influences, some of which included Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Brecker Brothers and Average White Band, are readily apparent in Soul Collective's tight, robust horn arrangements - which feature three acknowledged masters of the horn-based funk idiom in Greg Adams, Mic Gillette and Tom Scott.

Allan Phillips pens the first three tunes: "It's On," "Café Con Leche" and "Wake Up Call." The first is an uptempo, funky groove featuring Tom Braxton trading energetic licks throughout with Leighton's alto flute. "Cafe" is the single Latin offering on the CD. This smooth back-beat cha-cha features Evan Marks' guitar working in unison with Leighton's flute - punctuated by the horn section - with the two riding high over the horns in the out chorus. "Wake Up Call" brings the horns to the forefront in a hard-driving funk tune reminiscent of those great horn bands of the 70's. "She's Gone" is a classic Hall & Oats tune made popular by the 70's disco group "The Tavares" - performed as a soulful duet by Leighton and Tom Scott - this artful Allan Phillips arrangement builds throughout up to its driving, horn-laden finale.

For a change of pace, "That Man" is a popish vocal offering featuring newcomer Paula Prophet's wonderful writing and superb vocal stylings. "Ode to Billy Jo" is an instrumental treatment of the Bobbi Gentry classic; one of the two tracks produced and arranged by Jason Miles, it features Leighton and his alto flute over a slinky, funky vibe. The next two Phillips originals offer a contrast in styles. "Rock Me Softly" features the muted trumpet of Greg Adams with Leighton's hum-over-playing on the alto flute - giving the tune an edgy, urban vibe - while "Undercover" is a mellow, jazzy selection with Adams, Marks and Leighton trading riffs throughout. Closing out the CD is another Jason Miles treatment - this time it's the classic Crusaders' hit "Keep That Same Old Feeling." In a mellow, chillin' groove, Leighton trades melodic phrases with vocalist Katreese Barnes; providing a fitting climax to this superbly crafted CD.

"It was really an honor working with some of my favorite players on this project," said Leighton when speaking about Soul Collective. "I've always loved working with and playing in the horn section and we were fortunate enough to have three of the best in our section with Greg Adams, Mic Gillette and Tom Scott. This project was a lot of fun to make and I look forward to performing all the new material in concerts this year."

Beginning on March 31, a free download will be available for one week through MyJazzNetwork.com media player affiliate stations, WNUA, WJZZ, WVMV, and WSJT. WNWV, WLOQ, KIFM, WCIN, WJZX, KOAS, WSBZ, WKYL, KRVQ, WJZT as part of the Song of the Week program. This free download will be for the current single, On!" featuring Leighton along with Tom Braxton and Mic Gillette. Meanwhile, Leighton will start his tour in his home town of Tacoma, WA on March 8th as the headliner for the Old Town Tacoma Wine & Jazz Festival. The San Diego debuts will start March 23rd when Soul Collective will play at Humphrey's Back Stage Music Lounge then again on May 4th at Anthology for the official release party.

Leighton debuted in 2003 with Groove Yard, a beautiful collection of jazz standards. Released in 2005, Just Doin' Our Thang is comprised of inventive arrangements of standards and four original compositions in a traditional jazz setting that finds Leighton backed by a Hammond B3 organ trio. Just Doin' Our Thang and Back to the Funk both received critical praise from such respected outlets as JazzTimes, Audiophile, All About Jazz, All Music Guide, L.A.Jazz Scene, and the San Diego Reader in 2006. Both these albums were nominated for "Best Jazz Album of the Year" by the San Diego Music Awards.

Pacific Coast Jazz in San Diego is distributed in the U.S. by Big Daddy Music and will be available at fine retail record stores across the nation on April 15. You can hear Leighton's music at his website, www.fluteguy.com, or at www.myspace.com/bradleyleightonsoulcollective, or at www.pacificcoastjazz.com.

Soul Collective contains the following tracks:

• It's On!
• Café Con Leche
• Wake Up Call
• She's Gone
• That Man
• Ode to Billy Joe
• Rock Me Softly
• Undercover
• Keep That Same Old Feeling