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Brad Whiteley

Brad Whiteley is a New York City based pianist, organist, and keyboardist. His debut jazz album “Pathless Land” was recently released on Destiny Records to rave reviews including 4 stars and selection as an editor’s pick in Downbeat magazine. Brad has performed or recorded with numerous people in the pop and jazz worlds. He has been a member of Regina Spektor’s band for the past 4 years, which have included numerous television appearances (Letterman, Colbert, Leno, Fallon, etc.) and numerous world tours (Royal Albert Hall, The Greek Theater, Sydney Opera House, etc.). He has recently worked with David Byrne developing his new musical as synth programmer and conductor. Brad has performed or recorded with numerous artists including Kellylee Evans, Grace Kelly, Kenneth Salters, Michael Eaton, Cameron Mizell, Jon Crowley, Dave Liebman, Lionel Loueke, Myron Walden, Stacy Dillard, Tivon Pennicott, Stargroves, Erika Lloyd, Adam Minkoff, Stan Killian, Jeffrey Goldford, Rain Pryor, Jenna Nichols, and Hey Guy amongst others. He has performed in NYC clubs including Smalls, The 55 Bar, Iridium, Smoke, The Jazz Gallery, and Bargemusic. Originally hailing from Syracuse, NY, he received a Masters Degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Indiana University School of Music with further studies at the Mancini Institute, The Banff Centre, and the Aspen Music Festival. He has studied privately with Mike LeDonne, Fred Hersch, David Baker, and Mike Melvoin amongst others. In addition to playing jazz piano and organ Brad is also fluent in Ableton Live and Apple Mainstage/Logic. Brad is an accompanist for the WeBop program at Jazz at Lincoln Center and music director and organist at Blessed Sacrament Church in the Bronx.

Gear

Yamaha 6'3" grand piano, Rhodes 73 Suitcase, Nord C2 organ, Motion Sound Pro 3T- Low Pro combo, Korg SV-1 73, Nord Electro 2 61, Korg X50, Casio CZ3000, Logic/Mainstage, Ableton Live, hundreds of plug-ins.


Tags

2
Album Review

Charlie Apicella and Iron City Meet the Griots Speak: Destiny Calling

Read "Destiny Calling" reviewed by Troy Dostert


Since the early 2000s, guitarist Charlie Apicella's Iron City trio has devoted itself to maintaining the tradition of soulful, organ-based jazz. The aptly-titled Groove Machine (OA2 Records, 2019) preceded Destiny Calling, the group's 2023 album. And the latest one is quite a change-up. For this outing, Apicella has teamed up with The Griots Speak, an all-star assemblage of veterans who trace their roots to the halcyon days of the New York loft scene of the 1970s: multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter, percussionist ...

6
Album Review

Charlie Apicella & Iron City: The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling

Read "The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Guitarist Charlie Apicella and his organ trio Iron City are solidly based in the hard-bop mainstream. However, some of their releases are flavored with other motifs, partially by virtue of the guest artists. For instance, the tribute to legendary guitarist B.B. King, Payin' the Cost To Be the Boss (CArlo, Music, 2016), with an augmented sextet, was aptly bluesy. Meanwhile Classic Guitar (Zoho, 2020), with tenor saxophonist Stephen Riley, was an intimate interpretation of the Great American Songbook.

3
Album Review

Brad Whiteley: Presence

Read "Presence" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


It's not stretching the imagination to wonder where and how New York City fits the myriad of excellent jazz players who call the city home. They come, gratefully, from everywhere, bringing with them fresh ideas, odd twists on the tried and true and a creative energy that lights this most fertile diaspora. Making comparisons with Dave Brubeck can often be a stretch of that same imagination and also a fool's errand. But Whiteley, who navigates his many selves—his ...

5
Album Review

Brad Whiteley: Presence

Read "Presence" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


Pianist Brad Whiteley has had a lot of varied experiences in his career. He has played with rock artists like Regina Spektor and David Byrne and improvisers like Dave Liebman and Cameron Mizell. He's also worked on film soundtracks and played in the pit band of a Broadway show. That eclecticism is reflected in Presence--his second album as a leader--through his original compositions mixing varying combinations of jazz-rock, mainstream jazz, progressive rock, and jazz-funk. “Dusk" begins the program ...

5
Album Review

Brad Whiteley: Pathless Land

Read "Pathless Land" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Pathless Land doesn't live up to its title. The name of this album suggests music that's dense and sonically impassable, but that's the antithesis of what actually awaits; instead of unnavigable constructs, pianist/organist Brad Whiteley delivers music that's easy and enjoyable to traverse. Whiteley's built his reputation as an accompanist and music director, working with artists as diverse as witty pop songstress Regina Spektor, Broadway singer Jeri Sager, and opera-to-cabaret cross-over vocalist Sylvia McNair. On the surface, ...

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4 Stars “With his first album, Pathless Land, New York pianist-organist Brad Whiteley offers more than a smart record. He shows us how it’s done.” “Over Salters’ supportive beat and his own deep bass lines, Whiteley gets warm, funky, playful, and enthusiastic. Much like the way he planned out Pathless Land, “Bass Instincts” (Track 3) gives you everything you need, and not a drop more. Because no one needs that extra drop, it’s a waste” —Brad Farberman Downbeat Magazine July 2014 Issue

“He certainly succeeds in achieving that balance with his nine original compositions here, making Whiteley an exciting young artist to watch. When playing piano, he’s got a great touch and strong sense of melody. When playing organ, he’ll get your feet moving.” —Bobby Reed Downbeat Editors Pick June 2014

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Destiny Calling

OA2 Records
2023

buy

Presence

Destiny Records
2018

buy

Pathless Land

Self Produced
2014

buy

Titan vs. Sphinx

From: Destiny Calling
By Brad Whiteley

Videos

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