Bradley Joseph is an American composer, arranger, and producer of contemporary instrumental music. His compositions include works for orchestra, quartet, and solo piano, while his musical style ranges from "quietly pensive mood music to a rich orchestration of classical depth and breadth".
Active since 1983, Joseph has performed in front of more than a half million people around the world. He played various instruments in rock bands throughout the
MidwestThe Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
until 1989 when
GreekGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
composer
YanniYanni , born Yiannis Hrysomallis is a Greek self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer who has spent most of his life in the United States.He earned Grammy nominations for his 1992 album, Dare to Dream, and the 1993 follow-up, In My Time...
hired him for his core band after hearing a tape of his original compositions. He was a featured concert keyboardist with Yanni through six major tours, most recently in 2003 for the 60-city
EthnicityEthnicity, is Yanni's 13th studio album, released in 2003, extending his "One World, One People" philosophy. It peaked at #27 on Billboard's "Top Internet Albums" chart and at #27 on the "Billboard 200" chart in 2003...
tour. He appears in the multi-platinum album and concert film,
Yanni Live at the AcropolisYanni Live at the Acropolis, is the name of both an album and video by contemporary instrumental musician Yanni, recorded live at the Herodes Atticus Theatre, Athens, Greece, on September 25, 1993, and released in 1994. . This album peaked at #1 on "Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart and at...
. Joseph also spent four years as musical director and lead keyboardist for
Sheena EastonSheena Easton is a Scottish recording artist. Easton became famous for being the focus of an episode in the British television programme The Big Time, which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and her eventual signing with EMI Records.Easton rose to fame in the early 1980s with the pop...
, including a 1995 performance on the
Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
His solo career began when he independently released
Hear the MassesHear the Masses is the debut album by Bradley Joseph, , a self-produced and self-published release consisting of 10 original instrumental compositions ranging from upbeat piano to orchestral ballads....
, featuring many of his Yanni bandmates. This debut was followed by
RaptureRapture is the second album by Bradley Joseph, and his debut album on the Narada label, released in March 1997 . This is an instrumental album in which Joseph wrote and conducted all of the scores. In addition to incorporating a core band including violinist Charlie Bisharat and drummer Charlie...
, an instrumental album recorded with a 50-piece orchestra in which Joseph wrote and conducted all of the scores. It was released on the
NaradaNarada is a record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label and distributed by MCA Records. Now a fully owned subsidiary of EMI, Narada evolved through an expansion of formats to include music from other styles including world music, jazz, Celtic music, new flamenco, acoustic guitar...
label and reached New Age Voice (NAV)'s "Airwaves Top 30". He has produced numerous CDs/DVDs and piano books under his own record label, Robbins Island Music. Two of these recordings,
Christmas Around the WorldChristmas Around the World is Bradley Joseph's fourth album, , reaching NAV's top 100 radio playlist."In a thousand different ways, people join together every year to celebrate Christmas with their own unique customs and traditions. Pianist Bradley Joseph has hand-picked songs from around the...
and
One Deep BreathOne Deep Breath is Bradley Joseph's fifth album, . It held a position on NAV's top 100 radio chart for over six months.-Critical reception:...
, also held positions on NAV's Top 100 radio chart. His music is included in multiple various-artist compilation albums including the 2008 release of
The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz IIThe Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II is a 2008 compilation release by Midas Records. It is the second CD from The Weather Channel which features their most requested music from the "Local on the 8s" segments...
.
Biography
Bradley Joseph was born in 1965 and raised in
Willmar, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 7,302 households, and 4,461 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,549.9 people per square mile . There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of 657.8 per square mile...
, graduating from Willmar Senior High School in 1983. He learned how to play piano from a how-to piano book he found in the piano bench. One morning his father taught him how to play a boogie-woogie blues tune and by nightfall he could play the entire piece. He started playing classical piano at age eight, taking lessons for a year and a half but was self-taught thereafter. While in junior high, he took a concert field trip where he saw
Buddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
perform. He recalls, "I sat in the first row and when Buddy's sax player stood up to take his first solo something just clicked — the world closed in around me. I felt the power of music and knew that it was something special, a gift to be shared." Joseph played piano for the jazz band and choir in high school, and trombone through high school and college. When he picked up the horn, he got a whole new perspective on music, gaining insight into all the different
timbreIn music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
s available, which was invaluable to him when he started working with orchestras. The first band he was in was a wedding dance band which allowed him to gain experience in every different style of music from polkas to rock and roll to jazz classics. After attending
Moorhead State UniversityMinnesota State University Moorhead is a four-year, public university located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has an enrollment of nearly 7,500 students and 337 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system...
as a music major, he led some of his own bands around the area that toured Midwest nightclubs. He played sax and guitar in some of these earlier bands but left them to concentrate on just the piano/keyboards. Later, he started performing with guitarist
Dugan McNeillDugan McNeill, is an American musician and record producer who most notably worked with the 1980s Minnesota rock band Chameleon with members: Charlie Adams, Yanni, Mark Anthony, and Johnny Donaldson. The band recorded four albums together. Other recording credits include bass on the 1984 album...
, whose
U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
-like group was signed to Polygram. McNeill and
YanniYanni , born Yiannis Hrysomallis is a Greek self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer who has spent most of his life in the United States.He earned Grammy nominations for his 1992 album, Dare to Dream, and the 1993 follow-up, In My Time...
had once played together in the technopop band
ChameleonChameleon is a late 1970s/early 1980s American rock band founded by Charlie Adams. Chameleon made Billboard charts and was renowned for Adams’ two-axis revolving, upside-down drum set, which he played in live concerts and on MTV. The band toured extensively performing up to 260 shows a year...
in the late 70s and early 80s.
Yanni
In 1989, Joseph recorded his first demo tape and sent it off to Greek composer
YanniYanni , born Yiannis Hrysomallis is a Greek self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer who has spent most of his life in the United States.He earned Grammy nominations for his 1992 album, Dare to Dream, and the 1993 follow-up, In My Time...
, who was looking for someone to replace keyboardist
John TeshJohn Frank Tesh is an American pianist and composer of pop music, as well as a radio host and television presenter. His 10-year-old 'Intelligence for Your Life Radio Show' reaches 14.2 Million listeners/week, and is syndicated by Teshmedia on 400 stations in US, Canada, and the UK...
, as Tesh was launching his own solo career. When Yanni heard Joseph's compositions and arrangements, he was hired over the phone to join his core band, without ever meeting.
After moving to
Los AngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
at age 23, he composed, arranged, and performed alongside Yanni for more than six years, performing in-concert with a number of notable symphony orchestras, touring throughout the U.S. and abroad as Yanni gained worldwide fame. His first show was at the Starplex in Dallas with the
Dallas Symphony OrchestraThe Dallas Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra. It performs its concerts in the Meyerson Symphony Center in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas, United States....
filming a video project. "It was a real trial by fire for me", said Joseph. "First show + 10,000 people + TV cameras equals NERVOUS." He told Jane Fredericksen of the
St. Croix Valley Press that "It was a big jump, you don't really realize it at the time, but there's no in-between — going from playing nightclubs to arenas." Some of these early tours included the
Reflections of PassionReflections of Passion, is Yanni's sixth album, released on the Private Music label in 1990, , with a concert tour the same year and same title. Although it is categorized by the RIAA as a full album, all but three of the tracks on the album had been released at least once prior...
,
Revolution in SoundIn Celebration of Life, is Yanni's seventh album, released on the Private Music label in 1991, . It topped at #3 on "Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart and at #60 on the "Billboard 200" in the same year....
,
Dare to DreamDare to Dream is Yanni's eighth album, released on the Private Music label in 1992 . The album peaked at #2 on Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart and at #32 on the "Billboard 200" chart in the same year...
,
Yanni Live, The Symphony ConcertsIn My Time, Yanni's ninth album, released on the Private Music label in 1993, . This album is a gentler collection of piano-focused pieces. It attained Platinum status and was the second Grammy nomination for Yanni...
1993 and 1994 concert tours, as well as a performance in Germany that was broadcast throughout Europe and seen by 30 to 40 million viewers. Joseph appears on the 1994 multi-platinum album and video,
Yanni Live at the AcropolisYanni Live at the Acropolis, is the name of both an album and video by contemporary instrumental musician Yanni, recorded live at the Herodes Atticus Theatre, Athens, Greece, on September 25, 1993, and released in 1994. . This album peaked at #1 on "Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart and at...
. He recounts, "When I reflect back over the years, one of the high points that stand out include performing at the Acropolis with Yanni. Imagine all these different cultures coming together with the challenges of language, equipment, travel, and weather problems. I still picture the police running their dogs through the dressing rooms to sniff out any bomb possibilities right before the show. People still come up to me and comment how that show has affected their lives."
In the band, Joseph covered a lot of the keyboard parts that Yanni could not for lack of hands in the shows. He assisted with the task of managing the 30 or more synthesizers onstage, and helped layer with the orchestra to create a "full-bodied, live-effect sound". He did have to adjust some parts that did not work well in a live situation and worked extensively on programming sounds for all keyboardists. Joseph said that "[Yanni] gave us musicians a great deal of freedom to expand the music as well. If you listen to the original recordings he did and what we ended up with in our live recordings, you can really hear the musician's input." He readily credits Yanni's role in his professional development, and for five years of irreplaceable experiences and memories.
Between tours, Joseph worked extensively in recording studios on music ranging from rock and pop to rhythm and blues and orchestration with numerous artists from
RCARCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
,
EpicEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, Warner Brothers, and Polygram Records, in addition to performing in an elaborate national keyboard show tour with various musicians. In 2003, he returned for the 60-city
EthnicityEthnicity, is Yanni's 13th studio album, released in 2003, extending his "One World, One People" philosophy. It peaked at #27 on Billboard's "Top Internet Albums" chart and at #27 on the "Billboard 200" chart in 2003...
tour.
Sheena Easton
Joseph also performed with
Sheena EastonSheena Easton is a Scottish recording artist. Easton became famous for being the focus of an episode in the British television programme The Big Time, which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and her eventual signing with EMI Records.Easton rose to fame in the early 1980s with the pop...
for four years as her co-musical director and lead keyboardist. He went from Yanni to Easton and back to Yanni in a few years. "It was a great transition from Yanni because it made me musically aware again", he said in reference to Easton's
R&BRhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
style. "I went back to where I started but it felt like a new invention."
Wheeler questioned how he got hooked up with Easton; Joseph answered that he was recommended by a former road manager. He was included in a try-out with four others, rehearsed with the band, they then cut it down to two, and rehearsed with Sheena for the final cut. Joseph anticipated they would ask him to do a solo on at least one of the songs he was asked to play during the audition, so he wrote a solo for all three songs, which was ultimately the reason he was hired for the job.
In a 1995 interview, he said that after five years of touring with Yanni and working on his own debut album, he needed a break. Yanni was still building his career and maintained a hectic concert schedule. Working with Easton, on the other hand, was "the best of both worlds". "She just adopted a baby and is pretty settled in", said Joseph. Tour venues with her included Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and the United States, as well as routine appearances in
Las VegasLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
and Atlantic City. In March 1995, he appeared with her on the
Tonight Show with Jay Leno when she performed her new single at the time, "My Cherie".
Solo career
In 1994, between world tours, Joseph released his debut album,
Hear the MassesHear the Masses is the debut album by Bradley Joseph, , a self-produced and self-published release consisting of 10 original instrumental compositions ranging from upbeat piano to orchestral ballads....
, a self-produced, self-published release under the More Core Records label consisting of 10 original compositions. He invited most of the Yanni band to contribute. They include
Charlie AdamsCharlie Adams is an American drummer, percussionist, drum engineer, composer, music producer, and film producer. He formed the rock band Chameleon in the 1980s, and was known for his revolving, upside-down drum set. He has been drum lead for Yanni through nine major concert tours...
(drums, percussion);
Ric FierabracciRic Fierabracci, is an American bass guitarist who has toured and/or recorded with such artists as Frank Gambale, Chick Corea, Sir Tom Jones, Dave Weckl, Bradley Joseph, Shakira, Nancy Sinatra, Planet X, The 5th Dimension, The Beach Boys, and Yanni...
(fretless bass);
Jeanette ClingerJeanette Clinger, is an American singer/vocalist who has toured and/or recorded with such artists as Kim Carnes, Bradley Joseph, Hiroshima , Sheena Easton, Julie Brown, Donovan, and Yanni for whom she is featured on the live concert video and album Tribute.-External links:...
(vocals); and Grammy-winning violinist
Charlie BisharatCharlie Bisharat is a Grammy-winning violinistwho has extensively toured and/or recorded with numerous artists. He was a member of Shadowfax who won a Grammy in 1988 for Best New Age Performance for Folksongs for a Nuclear Village...
. Other guest artists include Larry Preston (guitar); and Terry Brau — featured on numerous Bradley Joseph recordings — playing trumpet, saxophone, and fluegelhorn.
Joseph's style attracted the attention of
Narada ProductionsNarada is a record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label and distributed by MCA Records. Now a fully owned subsidiary of EMI, Narada evolved through an expansion of formats to include music from other styles including world music, jazz, Celtic music, new flamenco, acoustic guitar...
, a
Virgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
subsidiary, via the World Wide Web. A representative for Narada came across his website and downloaded some music. This sparked their interest and resulted in signing Joseph to a multi-record deal, according to Peter Spellman of the
Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
. The outcome was
RaptureRapture is the second album by Bradley Joseph, and his debut album on the Narada label, released in March 1997 . This is an instrumental album in which Joseph wrote and conducted all of the scores. In addition to incorporating a core band including violinist Charlie Bisharat and drummer Charlie...
, containing intimate piano pieces, quartets, and full orchestral works. It reached NAV's "Airwaves Top 30" at #15 in July 1997. This album was recorded at a number of different studios including Captain and Tennille's studio in
Los AngelesLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, and
Pachyderm StudioPachyderm Recording Studio is a residential recording studio located in rural Cannon Falls, Minnesota, United States, 35.8 mi southeast of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. It is located in a secluded old-growth forest with a vibrant trout stream. The studio was founded in 1988...
in
Cannon Falls, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 3,795 people, 1,550 households, and 996 families residing in the city. The population density was 946.4 people per square mile . There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 401.8 per square mile...
. In addition to a core band including
Charlie AdamsCharlie Adams is an American drummer, percussionist, drum engineer, composer, music producer, and film producer. He formed the rock band Chameleon in the 1980s, and was known for his revolving, upside-down drum set. He has been drum lead for Yanni through nine major concert tours...
on percussion,
Charlie BisharatCharlie Bisharat is a Grammy-winning violinistwho has extensively toured and/or recorded with numerous artists. He was a member of Shadowfax who won a Grammy in 1988 for Best New Age Performance for Folksongs for a Nuclear Village...
on violin, and Steven Trochlil on clarinet, Joseph brought in a 50-piece orchestra, and conducted and wrote all the scores. Ken Moore of the
Naples Daily News cites, "Joseph's music is backed by 15 talented musicians, some playing three or more different instruments, that make up a symphony of sounds ranging from quietly pensive mood music to a rich orchestration of classical depth and breadth."
Wind and Wire Magazine contributor, Michael Debbage, recalls, "It was the year 1997 and New Age music had already peaked commercially as the interest and exposure seemed to lag. The genres main labels – Narada, Windham Music, and Higher Octave – were beginning to explore worldly themes versus the warm, earthly, acoustic themes that prior artists had established. It appeared that the abundance of new artists was becoming a dying breed. An exception to the rule was Bradley Joseph, who released his first mainstream album
Rapture to glorious reviews, and to this day it remains his tour de force." One of Joseph's compositions, "
The Glen"The Glen" is a composition by Bradley Joseph and is not included on any of his original albums. It was written exclusively for the 1998 Narada compilation album, "Stories", a Narada Artist Collection, in which "Extraordinary performers reveal their artistic inspirations in deeply personal...
", was written solely for the album
Stories, a Narada Artist CollectionStories is a 1998 compilation release by Narada."Extraordinary performers reveal their artistic inspirations in deeply personal instrumental memoirs".-Track listing:#"Bahama" – Artie Traum – 4:26...
, and is now also featured on
20 Years of Narada Piano20 Years of Narada Piano is a 2001 compilation release by Narada. It peaked at #12 on Billboard's Top New Age album charts in the same year.-Track listing:*1.1 "Endings" – Michael Jones – 5:33*1.2 "Sunrise" – Kostia – 5:02...
. His works are included in other Narada compilation projects as well.
Although he said that working with Narada was a great experience music-wise, Joseph did not like the lack of control over the end product, and asked to be released from his contract. He started Robbins Island Music in 1998, composing, producing, and distributing his own recordings.
Solo JourneySolo Journey is Bradley Joseph's third album , and first album on his own record label, Robbins Island Music.-History:Having previously recorded on the Narada label and admitting it was a great experience music-wise, Joseph didn't like the lack of control over the end product, and asked to be...
was released and consists of eleven soft piano compositions that are based on mood and not on melody. It is characterized by Debbage as being a "scaled down introspective, ... and while simplistic was still breath-taking".
Later releases include
Christmas Around the WorldChristmas Around the World is Bradley Joseph's fourth album, , reaching NAV's top 100 radio playlist."In a thousand different ways, people join together every year to celebrate Christmas with their own unique customs and traditions. Pianist Bradley Joseph has hand-picked songs from around the...
reaching NAV's top 100 radio playlist; and
One Deep BreathOne Deep Breath is Bradley Joseph's fifth album, . It held a position on NAV's top 100 radio chart for over six months.-Critical reception:...
also holding a position on NAV's top 100 radio chart for over six months. Bill Binkelman writes,
"One Deep Breath is an album with two distinct 'feels' to it: the more serene new age/ambient soundscapes that bookend the inner tracks and the more radio-friendly and mainstream music in-between. While I doubt fans of Liquid Mind or other mainly electronic new age music artists would wholly embrace the overt romanticism of piano-led tracks like 'Dancers Waltz' or 'Dreamer's Lullaby', there is definite appeal on the album for fans of adult contemporary piano pieces as well as for lovers of the more minimal approach to new age music." Reviewing for
Allmusic, Jim Brenholts describes
One Deep Breath as a set of smooth adult contemporary pieces in which Joseph adds "world music flair and inspirational touches". "The vocal expressions by Clystie Whang and Joseph have devotional qualities that weave through the atmospheres and soundscapes smoothly."
Joseph returned as a featured instrumentalist during Yanni's 2003
EthnicityEthnicity, is Yanni's 13th studio album, released in 2003, extending his "One World, One People" philosophy. It peaked at #27 on Billboard's "Top Internet Albums" chart and at #27 on the "Billboard 200" chart in 2003...
world tour, and wrote his sixth album on stage after sound checks.
The Journey Continues, a sequel to
Solo Journey, features Joseph on solo piano. Debbage writes, "The magical world of movies has a knack for exploring sequels. There is the beauty and beast effect when taking this pathway. The creative beauty allows the viewers to see the continued growth of its characters. The beastly aspect of this exploration is the Hollywood exploitation of an almost guaranteed return on its investment with no regard for its creative progression that usually sees diminishing returns. Bradley Joseph has decided to walk this tightrope by following up with
Solo Journey that was released back in 2000. I am glad to report that
The Journey Continues is entrenched in beauty, holding up well to its predecessor."
Joseph was named one of the
"Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" (TOYM) of 2004 by the Minnesota Jaycees. During the same year, Orange Music released two compilation CDs;
The Road AheadThe Road Ahead is a compilation album released by Orange Music , containing select songs taken from Bradley Joseph's previously-released One Deep Breath, Solo Journey, The Journey Continues, and Hear the Masses...
and
In the Heart of EveryoneIn the Heart of Everyone is a compilation album released by Orange Music , containing select songs taken from Bradley Joseph's previously-released One Deep Breath, Solo Journey, The Journey Continues, and Hear the Masses. It is distributed throughout Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan,...
, in addition to re-releasing his
Christmas Around the World album. These are distributed throughout Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. In a review of
In the Heart of Everyone, Yeoh Wee Teck remarked, "Instead of attempting to fuse elements of different cultures like everyone else, he chose to rely on what he knows best - simple arrangements with assured piano playing."
Subsequent releases include
For the Love of ItFor the Love of It is the 12th studio album released by Bradley Joseph on the Robbins Island Music label ."Before world tours and recording studios there was a time when Bradley Joseph played piano just 'For The Love Of It'. He grew up listening to, learning, and performing these classic melodies...
,
Piano Love SongsPiano Love Songs is the 13th studio album released by Bradley Joseph on the Robbins Island Music label ."Soft Classic Love Songs Performed on the Piano".-Track listing:...
, and
Hymns and Spiritual SongsHymns and Spiritual Songs is the 14th studio album released by Bradley Joseph on the Robbins Island Music label. ."Inspirational songs performed on the piano with soft orchestra."....
. On these albums, Joseph arranges piano, orchestra, and soft rhythms to cover melodies such as "
I'll Never Fall in Love Again"I'll Never Fall In Love Again" is a popular song by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. Originally written for the 1968 musical Promises, Promises, it soon became one of Bacharach and David's most enduring songs. It was nominated for Song of the Year in the 1969 Grammy awards...
" (
Burt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
), "
Fields of Gold"Fields of Gold" is a 1993 song by Sting from his album Ten Summoner's Tales. "Fields of Gold" and all the other album tracks were recorded at Lake House, Wiltshire, mixed at The Townhouse Studio, London, England and mastered at Masterdisk, New York. The harmonica solo is played by Brendan Power...
" (Sting), and "
Ave MariaEllens dritter Gesang , in English: "Ellen's Third Song", was composed by Franz Schubert in 1825 as part of his Opus 52, a setting of seven songs from Walter Scott's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake, loosely translated into German.It has become one of Schubert's most popular works under the...
" (
SchubertFranz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
). He has produced numerous CD and DVD projects designed for pets in a
Music Pets Love series. His music is used throughout the DVD,
Isle Royale Impressions Volume II, containing video footage by Carl TerHaar of scenery and wildlife from the
Isle Royale National ParkIsle Royale National Park is a U.S. National Park in the state of Michigan. Isle Royale, the largest island in Lake Superior, is over 45 miles in length and 9 miles wide at its widest point. The park is made of Isle Royale itself and approximately 400 smaller islands, along with any submerged...
in Michigan. Joseph has published many of his compositions in sheet music form. His music has been heard in regular
rotationIn radio broadcasting, a spin is a single play of a song. The term is also used as a unit to measure popularity, typically in spins per week...
in the United States and Canada by more than 160 major radio networks including
XMXM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
and
SiriusSirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
satellite radio; in the United Kingdom including
RTÉ lyric fmRTÉ lyric fm is an Irish classical music radio station, owned by the public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. The station, which is based in Limerick, was launched in 1999 and is available on FM in Ireland, on satellite, on Sky Digital in Ireland and United Kingdom and via the...
; as well as airwaves in Japan, Spain, China, South-East Asia, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia.
Airlines such as
AeroméxicoAirways of Mexico, SA de CV , operating as Aeroméxico, is the flag carrier airline of Mexico based in Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City. It operates scheduled domestic and international services to North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia...
,
AirTranAirTran Airways, a subsidiary of the Dallas, Texas-based Southwest Airlines, is an American low-cost airline headquartered in Orlando, Florida. AirTran operates over 650 daily flights , primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States...
,
FrontierFrontier Airlines, Inc., is an American airline headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The carrier, which is a subsidiary and operating brand of Republic Airways Holdings, operates flights to 83 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica and maintains hubs at...
,
JetBlueJetBlue Airways Corporation is an American low-cost airline. The company is headquartered in the Forest Hills neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. Its main base is John F. Kennedy International Airport, also in Queens....
, and
ExpressJetExpressJet Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline based in the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Southeast Airlines which is in turn a subsidiary of the airline holding company SkyWest, Inc., parent company of the air carrier SkyWest...
feature Joseph's music in their in-flight music programs. The Weather Channel also utilizes his compositions during the "Local on the 8s" segments, and his song "
Friday's ChildHear the Masses is the debut album by Bradley Joseph, , a self-produced and self-published release consisting of 10 original instrumental compositions ranging from upbeat piano to orchestral ballads....
" is included in their 2008 compilation release,
The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz IIThe Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II is a 2008 compilation release by Midas Records. It is the second CD from The Weather Channel which features their most requested music from the "Local on the 8s" segments...
. In April 2008 Joseph was presented the "WPS Foundation Arts and Academics Hallmarks of Pride" award for outstanding achievements by an alumnus.
Thoughts on success as an independent artist
Having experienced both avenues of recording on a major label and later choosing to be an independent artist, a combination of musicianship with business know-how has helped give Joseph staying power in the notoriously competitive world of music. He spends most of his time writing songs, composing arrangements, making recordings, and publishing and distributing his works. "I’m my own boss. I can do what I want. I can change directions", he told
West Central TribuneWest Central Tribune is published daily in Willmar, Minnesota. Its circulation of more than 16,000 papers is distributed throughout many surrounding communities....
's Anne Polta. As an independent, business is a prime concern and can take over if not controlled, Joseph said. "A lot of musicians don’t learn the business. You just have to be well-rounded in both areas. You have to understand publishing. You have to understand how you make money, what’s in demand, what helps you make the most out of your talent." "I couldn’t license my music if it wasn’t mine", he said. "It has allowed me to create CDs. It separates you from the million other great players."
In an interview with author Cicily Janus, Joseph commented that his perspective has changed a great deal from when he was younger. He said, "Everything I did was focused on making good music and being a great musician, not running a business. Yet it takes a businessperson to bring music to the masses." But some artists just want to be involved in the music and do not like the added problems or have the personality to work with both. Joseph suggests newer artists read and study both courses and pick one that best suits their needs and wants. He advises, "...to keep your eyes and ears open all the time. All the information you need is available to you to have a successful career in music, if you're paying attention, and not closed off to anything." He explains, "Time and persistence has shown me that I can succeed at sharing my art with others as a musician while running my own music business. And that kind of success is as good as I could have ever wished for."
When asked by Wheeler what brought him back to Minnesota after living in Los Angeles and traveling around the world, Joseph replied, "The first thing business people say is 'First and foremost, if you want to be successful, live where you want to live'." He grew up there and family were important to him. When he decided to become a solo artist he wanted to be comfortable in his environment and moved back.
Musical style and composition
Joseph believes that "music allows a person to express their deepest thoughts, thoughts that cannot be expressed with just words." Debbage comments, "One strength of Bradley Joseph as an artist has been his keen ability to write inspiring music with appropriately titled songs that express that thought non-verbally". In an interview with
Indie Journal, Joseph said that when writing music he prefers to concentrate on the melody first, stating, "Basically, I write from a two-person standpoint. First, I let the song take hold and I put down the idea as a raw emotional statement. Then I let it breathe and come back, approaching from more of an objective point of view. This allows me to rediscover the true meaning I intended in the beginning, shedding new light on how I can best represent that to the listener." He explained to Janus that, "Through instrumental music, I’m allowed to come up with musical ideas that allow the listener to create their own impression of my song. If you add lyrics about a girl in the song, the listener doesn’t have a choice of what the song is about, it’s told to them. My musical writings allow me to express anything. It’s easier for me to tell a story of something I’ve encountered this way then to verbalize it. And my feelings are explored more in my compositions compared to what I could ever say in a few sentences."
Joseph's musical style and direction have varied over time, having released more than two hundred original compositions and arrangements since 1994. "When I write it, it just kind of moves, because where I am in life is different", Joseph said. "So as I get older, it kind of changes." His recordings can offer full orchestrations such as in
Hear the Masses, or
Rapture that combines smooth jazz with contemporary instrumental themes. A review of
Rapture from
New Age Voice states Joseph "paints romantic pictures in sound with voices and instruments that escalate from quiet, intimate passages to big, energetic movements". "The arrangements are structured so that the trumpet can lead a line out on 'Be Still' signaling an introspective sort of mood; yet the strings swell on 'The Passage' engulfing the listener in an ocean of sound." "Even cuts that start quiet, such as 'Healing the Hollow Man' or 'Blue Rock Road' ebb and flow between quiet moments and crescendos."
In contrast, later albums such as
Solo Journey and
The Journey Continues are considered to be "stripped back and basic" by Debbage, with the latter featuring "Joseph and his piano with no additional clutter". "There is color in the songs via their understated melodies." As examples, Debbage describes Joseph as using a chord progression that translates into a strolling rhythm in the song "The Road Ahead".
Solo Piano Publications contributor, Kathy Parsons, writes, "...'The Long, Last Mile' starts out with a bittersweet melody, and then builds in intensity and complexity with cello, winds, and ethereal sounds intertwining around the piano. Then it breaks off, and the opening melody returns."
For the 2002 album
One Deep Breath, Joseph combines "structured melodic pieces and free-form ambient compositions", which "departs dramatically from the previous more explosive and dynamic music on his first two recordings,
Hear the Masses and
Rapture". Binkelman writes, "It is an album with two distinct 'feels' to it: the more serene new age/ambient soundscapes that bookend the inner tracks and the more radio-friendly and mainstream music in-between." For instance, the song "Dance of Life" was inspired by
Antonín DvořákAntonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
's opera, "
RusalkaRusalka is an opera by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech libretto was written by the poet Jaroslav Kvapil based on the fairy tales of Karel Jaromír Erben and Božena Němcová. Rusalka is one of the most successful Czech operas, and represents a cornerstone of the repertoire of Czech opera houses...
". It is a bit more straightforward in its piano presentation, and will probably appeal the most to hardcore fans of solo instrumental music, says
Instrumental Weekly. Then the album closes with its title track, "One Deep Breath", that "floats and meanders for more than ten minutes, bringing in ocean sounds". It is "far and away the most ambient of everything else to be found here", and is "stunning, both in its execution and how radical a change it is from what has come before". Debbage depicts "A Minnesota Snowfall" from
Christmas Around the World as taking "a more naked, bare-boned
balladA ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
approach".
Joseph has also produced numerous CDs that include cover arrangements for piano and orchestra. While discussing
Classic ChristmasClassic Christmas is the 15th studio album by Bradley Joseph released in 2008 on the Robbins Island Music label."Christmas classics performed on the piano."...
, Gerry Grzyb, chairman of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh sociology department, states that Joseph's usual approach is to play the carol straight, and then add his own twists. "... he’s very effective at that—he doesn’t stray as far as a jazz or classical organ improviser might, but he does keep the interest up." Grzyb says that the same applies to Joseph's earlier
Christmas Around the World CD, which he found even more interesting because of the use of other instrumental sounds. The 2009 release of
Suites & SweetsSuites & Sweets is the 16th studio album by Bradley Joseph released in 2009 on the Robbins Island Music label. It is a collection of classical musical suites on the piano. Joseph told Jane Fredericksen of the St. Croix Valley Press that, "'Suites' are a series of classical movements.....
features compositions by
BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
,
MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
,
BachJohann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
, and other classical composers. Joseph told Fredericksen that he, "took the best parts and movements out of those classical songs … and made it soft and calm all the way through."
Generally, Joseph's music gets airplay in the adult contemporary,
smooth jazzSmooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
,
easy listeningEasy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
, and
beautiful musicBeautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
radio formats, and while some is classified in the
new ageNew Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
genre, he considers contemporary instrumental to fit his style of playing the best. In discussing
Rapture, John Blake of
The Atlanta JournalThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the only major daily newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and its suburbs. The AJC, as it is called, is the flagship publication of Cox Enterprises. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the result of the merger between The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta...
notes that often new age music sounds as if it should be played in a supermarket. The songs can sound like musical cotton candy — soft, airy and ultimately uninteresting. "For the most part, Bradley's music doesn't make that mistake." "The music is cinematic, filled with introspective piano solos, swelling violins, and a hypnotic song pacing that allows the listener to daydream." Janus remarks that, "Although Bradley has been, at times, pigeon holed into an offshoot of jazz, his message through his music is universal in its appeal and soothing qualities."
Parsons goes on to say, "The influence of years of touring with Yanni is apparent in the richness of Joseph’s sound, but his musical voice is his own." Yanni once said, "Bradley, your extreme sensitivity is your greatest gift". Joseph later realized what Yanni meant was that he needed that as a composer, that it was a crucial component "to be sensitive to what you see and to be able to apply that to music". He believes that the spiritual aspect of creating is to "find something deep within yourself that can only be created by you". ..."Your spiritual self cannot be copied and that’s why it’s so significant in life and music", he says. Musically, he tries to connect a common bridge between such exhilarating feelings as performing at the Acropolis, to the emotions each and everyone feels everyday. "In the end, a good melody will always stand the test of time", says Joseph. Polta reports that he often references the past when he names his songs and his music is frequently reminiscent of his rural
MinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
roots. "Wind Farmer" was inspired by childhood visits to a relative's farm near
OliviaAs of the census of 2000, there were 2,570 people, 75 households, and 658 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,102.7 people per square mile . There were 1,178 housing units at an average density of 505.4 per square mile...
, and his company, Robbins Island Music, is named after a city park in
WillmarAs of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 7,302 households, and 4,461 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,549.9 people per square mile . There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of 657.8 per square mile...
.
Joseph employs a variety of instruments to compose including the
Korg TritonKorg Triton is a music workstation synthesizer featuring digital sampling and sequencing created by Korg. All Tritons use Korg's HI Synthesis tone generator. They are available in several models and various upgrade configurations. The Triton is world famous among many musicians for being a...
music workstation, Korg SG-1 piano, and occasionally
Korg M1The Korg M1 is the world's first widely-known music workstation. Its onboard MIDI sequencer and palette of sounds allowed musicians to produce complete professional arrangements...
. Rack units have included
Roland JD-800The JD-800 was a digital synthesizer released by Roland in 1991. The synthesizer featured many knobs and sliders for patch editing and performance control - features which some manufacturers, including Roland, had been omitting in the name of 'streamlining' since the inception of Yamaha's DX-7...
, and
Roland JV-1080The Roland JV-1080 is a Sample-based synthesizer/sound module in the form of a 2U rack design.-Features:...
which he says is "great for string layers". The
Alesis D4Alesis is a company based in Cumberland, Rhode Island, that designs and markets electronic musical instruments, digital audio processors, audio mixers, digital audio interfaces, recording equipment, drum machines, professional audio and electronic percussion products...
, Yamaha SY22, and
Yamaha TG77Yamaha TG77 is a 16 voice multitimbral music workstation utilizing Realtime Convolution and Modulation Synthesis . The convolution synthesis takes place by emulation of analog filter operation, filtering the AFM and AWM2 elements in a voice. Eight filters can be controlled by dedicated envelope...
which has "some nice ethereal textures" have been utilized; working also with
E-mu SystemsE-mu Systems, Inc. is a synthesizer maker and pioneer in samplers and low-cost digital sampling music workstations.-History:Founded in 1971 by Scott Wedge and Dave Rossum, E-mu began making modular synthesizers...
Proteus 1, Proteus 2, and the E-5000 sampler because it is "easy to use and has a great library". Acoustic pianos vary, Yamaha and
BösendorferBösendorfer is an Austrian piano manufacturer, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha. The brand is known for producing pianos with a uniquely rich, singing, and sustaining tone...
were used for the 1997 album,
Rapture.
Studio albums
- Hear the Masses
Hear the Masses is the debut album by Bradley Joseph, , a self-produced and self-published release consisting of 10 original instrumental compositions ranging from upbeat piano to orchestral ballads....
(1994)
- Rapture
Rapture is the second album by Bradley Joseph, and his debut album on the Narada label, released in March 1997 . This is an instrumental album in which Joseph wrote and conducted all of the scores. In addition to incorporating a core band including violinist Charlie Bisharat and drummer Charlie...
(1997), NaradaNarada is a record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label and distributed by MCA Records. Now a fully owned subsidiary of EMI, Narada evolved through an expansion of formats to include music from other styles including world music, jazz, Celtic music, new flamenco, acoustic guitar...
- Solo Journey
Solo Journey is Bradley Joseph's third album , and first album on his own record label, Robbins Island Music.-History:Having previously recorded on the Narada label and admitting it was a great experience music-wise, Joseph didn't like the lack of control over the end product, and asked to be...
(1999)
- Christmas Around
the WorldChristmas Around the World is Bradley Joseph's fourth album, , reaching NAV's top 100 radio playlist."In a thousand different ways, people join together every year to celebrate Christmas with their own unique customs and traditions. Pianist Bradley Joseph has hand-picked songs from around the...
(2000)
- One Deep Breath
One Deep Breath is Bradley Joseph's fifth album, . It held a position on NAV's top 100 radio chart for over six months.-Critical reception:...
(2002)
- The Journey Continues (2003)
- Music Pets Love Series (2004–2008)
- For the Love of It
For the Love of It is the 12th studio album released by Bradley Joseph on the Robbins Island Music label ."Before world tours and recording studios there was a time when Bradley Joseph played piano just 'For The Love Of It'. He grew up listening to, learning, and performing these classic melodies...
(2005)
- Piano Love Songs
Piano Love Songs is the 13th studio album released by Bradley Joseph on the Robbins Island Music label ."Soft Classic Love Songs Performed on the Piano".-Track listing:...
(2006)
- Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Hymns and Spiritual Songs is the 14th studio album released by Bradley Joseph on the Robbins Island Music label. ."Inspirational songs performed on the piano with soft orchestra."....
(2007)
- Classic Christmas
Classic Christmas is the 15th studio album by Bradley Joseph released in 2008 on the Robbins Island Music label."Christmas classics performed on the piano."...
(2008)
- Suites & Sweets
Suites & Sweets is the 16th studio album by Bradley Joseph released in 2009 on the Robbins Island Music label. It is a collection of classical musical suites on the piano. Joseph told Jane Fredericksen of the St. Croix Valley Press that, "'Suites' are a series of classical movements.....
(2009)
- "Rest and Relax" Series: Forest Sounds and Ocean Waves (2010)
Compilations
- The Road Ahead
The Road Ahead is a compilation album released by Orange Music , containing select songs taken from Bradley Joseph's previously-released One Deep Breath, Solo Journey, The Journey Continues, and Hear the Masses...
(2004), Orange Music
- In the Heart of Everyone
In the Heart of Everyone is a compilation album released by Orange Music , containing select songs taken from Bradley Joseph's previously-released One Deep Breath, Solo Journey, The Journey Continues, and Hear the Masses. It is distributed throughout Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan,...
(2004), Orange Music
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Credits
- In My Time
In My Time, Yanni's ninth album, released on the Private Music label in 1993, . This album is a gentler collection of piano-focused pieces. It attained Platinum status and was the second Grammy nomination for Yanni...
(1993), Private MusicPrivate Music is a United States record company founded in 1984 by experimental musician Peter Baumann, as a home for instrumental music. Initially signing such artists as Yanni, Suzanne Ciani, Patrick O'Hearn, and Baumann's former bandmates Tangerine Dream, the record label specialized in New Age...
- Yanni Live at the Acropolis
Yanni Live at the Acropolis, is the name of both an album and video by contemporary instrumental musician Yanni, recorded live at the Herodes Atticus Theatre, Athens, Greece, on September 25, 1993, and released in 1994. . This album peaked at #1 on "Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart and at...
(1994), Private Music
- The Private Years
The Private Years is a compilation project released by Private Music in 1999, . It is a Box set that features five of Yanni's albums for Private Music — Reflections of Passion, In Celebration of Life, Dare to Dream, In My Time, and Yanni Live at the Acropolis, as well as the DVD of his concert...
(1999), Private Music
- Essential Yanni (2010), Masterworks
Compilation appearances
- Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection)
Grand Piano is a 1997 compilation release by Narada. It peaked at #10 on Billboard's Top New Age album charts in the same year.From album liner:...
(1997), NaradaNarada is a record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label and distributed by MCA Records. Now a fully owned subsidiary of EMI, Narada evolved through an expansion of formats to include music from other styles including world music, jazz, Celtic music, new flamenco, acoustic guitar...
- Narada Smooth Jazz
Narada Smooth Jazz is a 1997 compilation release by Narada. It peaked at #25 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz Albums in the same year.-Track listing:*1.01 "Redwood/Nocturne" – Spencer Brewer – 4:20...
(1997), Narada
- New Age Music & New Sounds Vol. 67 - "Liberty" (1997), Oreade
- The Next Generation - Narada Sampler
The Next Generation - Explore Our World is a 1997 Narada sampler introducing their "Next Generation" of artists.-Track listing:#Jesse Cook Introduction – 0:52#"Mario Takes A Walk" – Jesse Cook – 3:47...
(1997), Narada
- Stories (Narada Artist Collection)
Stories is a 1998 compilation release by Narada."Extraordinary performers reveal their artistic inspirations in deeply personal instrumental memoirs".-Track listing:#"Bahama" – Artie Traum – 4:26...
(1998), Narada
- 20 Years of Narada Piano
20 Years of Narada Piano is a 2001 compilation release by Narada. It peaked at #12 on Billboard's Top New Age album charts in the same year.-Track listing:*1.1 "Endings" – Michael Jones – 5:33*1.2 "Sunrise" – Kostia – 5:02...
(2001), Narada
- Narada Film and Television Music
Narada Films and Television Music Sampler is a 2003 U.S. EMI Film & TV Music publishing 2CD sampler that represents an overview of the Narada catalog, demonstrating the breadth and diversity of the Narada roster.-Disc One:...
(2003), EMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
- The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II
The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II is a 2008 compilation release by Midas Records. It is the second CD from The Weather Channel which features their most requested music from the "Local on the 8s" segments...
(2008), Midas Records
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External links