Chris Bradford
Encyclopedia
Chris Bradford is an author, professional musician and black belt martial artist, best known for his children's fictional series, Young Samurai
.
The first Young Samurai
book, The Way of the Warrior, was published by Puffin Books in 2008. Disney bought the rights in the same year and are due to publish early 2009.
Chris has also written a number of books on the music business, including the critically acclaimed Heart & Soul: Revealing the Craft of Songwriting (Sanctuary, 2005), Crash Course Songwriting (Omnibus, 2007) and the three-part illustrated series of music business books for teenagers, Record Deals OutLoud, Music Publishing OutLoud and Artist Management OutLoud (Music Sales, 2006).
Before becoming a full-time author, Chris was a professional songwriter, who worked with many successful musicians including Dave Calhoqoun (Ian Brown 'F.E.A.R.'); Ivor Novello winner Iain Archer
(Snow Patrol); and the legendary Graham Gouldman
(10cc). As an artist himself, Chris performed with James Blunt
, at the Notting Hill Carnival
and for HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
As a martial artist, Chris joined a Judo club at the age of 7 years and has over 20 years experience in martial arts in various styles including Shotokan
Karate
, Muay Thai
, Aikido
and Taijutsu
in which he is a black belt. Chris now trains in Iaido
and Wado Ryu
Karate.
Young Samurai
Young Samurai is a series of action-adventure stories written by Chris Bradford. It is set in 17th century Japan following the exploits of an English boy, Jack Fletcher, as he strives to be the first gaijin samurai....
.
The first Young Samurai
Young Samurai
Young Samurai is a series of action-adventure stories written by Chris Bradford. It is set in 17th century Japan following the exploits of an English boy, Jack Fletcher, as he strives to be the first gaijin samurai....
book, The Way of the Warrior, was published by Puffin Books in 2008. Disney bought the rights in the same year and are due to publish early 2009.
Chris has also written a number of books on the music business, including the critically acclaimed Heart & Soul: Revealing the Craft of Songwriting (Sanctuary, 2005), Crash Course Songwriting (Omnibus, 2007) and the three-part illustrated series of music business books for teenagers, Record Deals OutLoud, Music Publishing OutLoud and Artist Management OutLoud (Music Sales, 2006).
Before becoming a full-time author, Chris was a professional songwriter, who worked with many successful musicians including Dave Calhoqoun (Ian Brown 'F.E.A.R.'); Ivor Novello winner Iain Archer
Iain Archer
Iain Denis Archer is a singer–songwriter from Bangor, Northern Ireland, who was once a secondary lyricist for the indie band Snow Patrol. Archer comes from a musical background and released several solo albums in the mid 90s on the small Scottish independent label Sticky Music...
(Snow Patrol); and the legendary Graham Gouldman
Graham Gouldman
Graham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
(10cc). As an artist himself, Chris performed with James Blunt
James Blunt
James Hillier Blount , better known by his stage name James Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter and musician, and former army officer, whose debut album, Back to Bedlam and single releases, including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover", brought him to fame in 2005...
, at the Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which since 1964 has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea , London, UK each August, over two days...
and for HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
As a martial artist, Chris joined a Judo club at the age of 7 years and has over 20 years experience in martial arts in various styles including Shotokan
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
, Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
and Taijutsu
Taijutsu
is a Japanese blanket term for any combat skill, technique or system of martial art using body movements that are described as an empty-hand combat skill or system. The term is commonly used when referring to a traditional Japanese martial art but has also been used in the naming of modern martial...
in which he is a black belt. Chris now trains in Iaido
Iaido
is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
and Wado Ryu
Wado Ryu
is a karate style; three organizations now teach the Wadō-ryū style: the Japan Karate-dō Federation Wadōkai , the Wadōryū Karatedō Renmei, and the Wadō Kokusai Karatedō Renmei .- Philosophy :The name...
Karate.
Young Samurai
- Young Samurai: The Way of the WarriorYoung Samurai: The Way of the WarriorYoung Samurai: The Way of the Warrior is a children's historical novel by Chris Bradford, published in 2008. It is the first in a series of action-adventure stories set in 17th century Japan following the exploits of an English boy, Jack Fletcher, as he strives to be the first gaijin samurai.Young...
(2008) - Young Samurai: The Way of the SwordYoung Samurai: The Way of the SwordYoung Samurai: The Way of the Sword is a children's historical novel by Chris Bradford, published in 2009. It is the second in a series of action-adventure stories set in 17th century Japan following the exploits of an English boy, Jack Fletcher, as he strives to be the first gaijin samurai.Young...
(2009) - Young Samurai: The Way of the DragonYoung Samurai: The Way of the Dragon-Plot:Japan is threatened with war and samurai are taking sides. As the blood begins to flow, Jack’s warrior training is put to the ultimate test.His survival - and those of his friends - depends upon him mastering the Two Heavens, the secret sword technique of the legendary samurai Masamoto...
(2010) - Young Samurai: The Ring of Earth (2010)
- Young Samurai: The Ring of Water (2011)
- Young Samurai: The Ring of Fire (due 4th August, 2011)
- Young Samurai: The Ring of Wind (due March, 2012)
- Young Samurai: The Ring of Sky (due August, 2012)
Music
- Heart & Soul: Revealing The Craft Of Songwriting (2005)
- Record Deals OutLoud (2006)
- Music Publishing OutLoud (2006)
- Artist Management OutLoud (2006)
- Crash Course Songwriting (2007)