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{{short description|American composer, keyboardist, arranger, and producer}} | |||
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{{Infobox musical artist | {{Infobox musical artist | ||
| |
| name = Bradley Joseph | ||
| |
| image = Pic-bradleyjoseph.jpg | ||
| |
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1965}} | ||
| birth_place = ], United States | |||
| Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | |||
| |
| origin = ], United States | ||
| instrument = {{Flatlist| | |||
| Instrument = ], ]<br />], ], ] | |||
* Keyboards}} | |||
| Genre = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />] | |||
| genre = {{Plainlist| | |||
| Occupation = ], ], ], ] | |||
* ] | |||
| Years_active = 1983 – present | |||
* ] | |||
| Label = Robbins Island Music<br />] | |||
* ] | |||
| Associated_acts = ]<br />]<br /> ] | |||
* ] | |||
| URL = | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| occupation = {{Flatlist| | |||
* Composer | |||
* arranger | |||
* record producer | |||
* musician | |||
}} | |||
| years_active = 1983–present | |||
| label = {{Plainlist| | |||
* | |||
* ]/] | |||
}} | |||
| associated_acts = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| website = | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Bradley Joseph''' (born 1965) is an American composer, arranger, and producer of contemporary |
'''Bradley Joseph''' (born 1965), is an American composer, arranger, and producer of contemporary instrumental music. His compositions include works for ], Quartet and Solo Piano. He has been active since 1983, and he has played various instruments in rock bands throughout the ]. In 1989, the ] composer ] hired him for his core band after hearing a tape of his original compositions. He was a featured concert keyboardist with Yanni on six major tours,<ref name="st.croix" /> most recently in 2003 for the 60-city '']'' tour. | ||
He appears in the multi-platinum album and concert film, '']''. Joseph also spent five years as ] and lead keyboardist for ], including a 1995 performance on ''].'' | |||
His solo career began when he independently released ''],'' featuring many of his Yanni bandmates. This debut was followed by '']'', an instrumental album recorded with a 50-piece orchestra in which Joseph wrote and conducted all |
Joseph is the founder of the Robbins Island Music label.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} His solo career began when he independently released ''],'' featuring many of his Yanni bandmates. This debut was followed by '']'', an instrumental album recorded with a 50-piece orchestra in which Joseph wrote and conducted all the scores. It was released on the ] label and reached the ] Airwaves Top 30. A number of subsequent recordings, including '']'' and '']'' also held positions on ZMR's Top 100 radio chart, with the most recent being '']'' which debuted on April 4, 2013. ''Paint the Sky'' was nominated for Best Neo-Classical Album at the 10th annual ZMR Music Awards.<ref name="ZMR Nom">{{cite web | url=http://www.zonemusicreporter.com/admin/nominees_site.asp | title=The 10th Annual ZMR Music Award Nominees | publisher=zonemusicreporter.com | access-date=27 March 2014}}</ref> He has produced numerous CDs/DVDs and piano books. His music is included in multiple various-artist compilation albums, including the 2008 release of '']''. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
Bradley Joseph was born in 1965 and raised in ], graduating from Willmar Senior High School in 1983.<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley">{{cite news|last = Miller|first = Gary|url= |title = ''Heeeeeere's Bradley''|publisher = West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (], U.S.)|date= 1995-03-21|accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref> He learned how to play piano from a how-to piano book he found in the piano bench.<ref name="audiointerview">Interview: {{cite web |author= The Dagger|url=http://www.myhometownsports.com/audiolibrary/interviews/BradleyJoseph.mp3|title=Where Are They Now: Pianist/composer Bradley Joseph took time out to talk with the Dagger about his music (16 CD's), family, and his music on the Weather Channel|publisher = |date = 2008-06-15|accessdate=2008-06-22}}</ref> One morning his father taught him how to play a boogie-woogie blues tune and by nightfall he could play the entire piece.<ref name="Official bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.bradleyjoseph.com/bio.html|title= Official Bio|publisher = (bradleyjoseph.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> He started playing classical piano at age eight,<ref name="Official bio"/> taking lessons for a year and a half but was self-taught thereafter.<ref name="audiointerview"/> While in junior high, he took a concert field trip where he saw ] 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."<ref name="Official bio"/> Joseph played piano for the jazz band and choir in high school,<ref name="daily telegram1">{{cite news|last=|first=|title =Pianist to present a Christmas concert |publisher = The Daily Telegram (superiortelegram.com) (], U.S.)|url=https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=37&article_id=1045|format=fee required | |||
|year = 2002|accessdate =2008-01-18}}</ref> and trombone through high school and college.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview">{{cite web |author=Wheeler, Fred|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050908010100/http://www.indiejournal.com/indiejournal/interviews/bradleyjoseph.htm|title= Interview with Bradley Joseph|publisher = Indie Journal (archived page of indiejournal.com)|year = 2002|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> When he picked up the horn, he got a whole new perspective on music, gaining insight into all the different ]s available, which was invaluable to him when he started working with orchestras.<ref name="daily telegram2">{{cite news|last=|first=|title =Park concerts to begin Wednesday |publisher = The Daily Telegram (superiortelegram.com) (], U.S.)|url= https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=37&article_id=407|format=fee required|date = 2002-08-23|accessdate =2008-01-18}}</ref> 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.<ref name="audiointerview"/> After attending ] as a music major, he led some of his own bands around the area that toured Midwest nightclubs, and also in the group Ian Faith.<ref name="IanFaith">{{cite web |author=|url=http://www.petemeados.bravehost.com/bands.html|title= Ian Faith|publisher = (petemeados.bravehost.com)|year = 2005|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> He played sax and guitar in some of these earlier bands but left them to concentrate on just the piano/keyboards.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> Later, he started performing with guitarist ], whose ]-like group was signed to Polygram.<ref name="Official bio"/> McNeill and ] had once played together in the technopop band ] in the late 70s and early 80s. | |||
=== |
===Early years=== | ||
Bradley Joseph was born in ] and raised in ],<ref name="Parsons-Interview"/> graduating from Willmar Senior High School in 1983.<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley"/> He learned how to play the piano from a how-to piano book he found in the piano bench.<ref name="audiointerview"/> He started playing classical piano at age eight,<ref name="Official bio"/> taking lessons for a year and a half but was self-taught thereafter.<ref name="audiointerview"/> While in junior high, he took a concert field trip where he saw ] 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."<ref name="Official bio"/> Joseph played piano for the jazz band and choir in high school,<ref name="daily telegram1"/> and trombone through high school and college.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> When he picked up the horn, he got a whole new perspective on music, gaining insight into all the different ]s available, which was invaluable to him when he started working with orchestras.<ref name="daily telegram2"/> The first band he was in was a wedding dance band.<ref name="audiointerview"/> After attending ] 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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> Later, he started performing with guitarist ], whose ]-like group was signed to Polygram.<ref name="Official bio"/> | |||
In 1989, Joseph recorded his first demo tape and sent it off to Greek composer ], who was looking for someone to replace keyboardist ], as Tesh was launching his own solo career.<ref name="Yanni in Words">{{cite book|last = Yanni | |||
| coauthors = Rensin, David|title = Yanni in Words|publisher = ]|year = 2002|pages = 123,202|isbn =1-4013-5194-8 | |||
===Yanni=== | |||
| accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref> When Yanni heard Joseph's compositions and arrangements, he was hired over the phone to join his core band, without ever meeting.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
In 1989, Joseph recorded his first demo tape and sent it off to Greek composer ], who was looking for someone to replace keyboardist ], as Tesh was launching his own solo career.<ref name="Yanni in Words"/> When Yanni heard Joseph's compositions and arrangements, he was hired over the phone to join his core band, without ever meeting.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
{{Rquote|left|When I reflect back over the years, one of the high points that stand out include performing at the Acropolis with Yanni.<ref name="SJSheet"/>}} | {{Rquote|left|When I reflect back over the years, one of the high points that stand out include performing at the Acropolis with Yanni.<ref name="SJSheet"/>}} | ||
After moving to ] at age 23,<ref name="AlbumNotesStories" |
After moving to ] at age 23,<ref name="AlbumNotesStories"/> 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.<ref name="Bradley Joseph to play for Concerts in the Park"/> His first show was at the Starplex in Dallas with the ] filming a video project. "It was a real trial by fire for me", said Joseph.<ref name="Official bio"/> "First show + 10,000 people + TV cameras equals NERVOUS."<ref name="SJSheet"/> 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."<ref name="st.croix"/> Some of these early tours included the '']'', '']'', '']'',<ref name="Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1993 - Official concert program"/> '']'' 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.<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley"/> Joseph appears on the 1994 multi-platinum album and video, ''].''<ref name="Yanni in Words"/> | ||
| publisher = Brainerd Dispatch (brainderddispatch.com) (], ], U.S.)|url=|format=fee required |date = 1999-07-08|accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref> His first show was at the Starplex in Dallas with the ] filming a video project. "It was a real trial by fire for me", said Joseph.<ref name="Official bio"/> "First show + 10,000 people + TV cameras equals NERVOUS."<ref name="SJSheet">Bio from: {{cite book|last = Joseph|first=Bradley|title=Solo Journey Intermediate Piano Book|publisher = Bradley Joseph Publishing|year=2000|accessdate=2007-04-03|pages = |unused_data = |id}}</ref> 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."<ref name="st.croix"/> Some of these early tours included the '']'', '']'', '']'',<ref name="Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1993 - Official concert program">Bio from: {{cite book|title = Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1993 - Official concert program|publisher = ] | |||
|year=1993|accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref> '']'' 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.<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley"/> Joseph appears on the 1994 multi-platinum album and video, ''].''<ref name="Yanni in Words"/> 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."<ref name="SJSheet"/> | |||
In the band, Joseph covered a lot of the keyboard parts that Yanni could not for lack of hands in the shows.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> He assisted with the task of managing the 30 or more synthesizers onstage,<ref name="SL Tribune1"> |
In the band, Joseph covered a lot of the keyboard parts that Yanni could not for lack of hands in the shows.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> He assisted with the task of managing the 30 or more synthesizers onstage,<ref name="SL Tribune1"/> and helped layer with the orchestra to create a "full-bodied, live-effect sound".<ref name="SL Tribune2"/> 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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> Joseph readily credits Yanni's role in his professional development, and for five years of irreplaceable experiences and memories.<ref name="AlbumNotesRapture"/> | ||
|format=fee required|date = 1993-06-27|accessdate =2008-01-18}}</ref> and helped layer with the orchestra to create a "full-bodied, live-effect sound".<ref name="SL Tribune2">{{cite news|last=Buttars|first=Lori|title =Yanni audience buckles up for 'symphony on speed' |publisher = ] (], U.S.)|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=101179472BC6DA4E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | |||
|format=fee required|date = 1991-05-30|accessdate =2008-01-18}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> Joseph said that " 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."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> He readily credits Yanni's role in his professional development, and for five years of irreplaceable experiences and memories.<ref name="AlbumNotesRapture">{{cite album-notes |title= Rapture|albumlink=Rapture (Bradley Joseph album)|bandname=Bradley Joseph |year= 1997|format= CD liner|publisher= ]|publisherid=ND-63038}}</ref> | |||
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 ], ], ], and ],<ref name="Live, The Symphony Concerts 1994 - Official concert program"> |
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 ], ], ], and ],<ref name="Live, The Symphony Concerts 1994 - Official concert program"/> in addition to performing in an elaborate national keyboard show tour with various musicians.<ref name="Dare to Dream - Official concert program"/> In 2003, he returned for the 60-city '']'' tour.<ref name="reflections"/> | ||
| year = 1994|accessdate =2007-04-03 }}</ref> in addition to performing in an elaborate national keyboard show tour with various musicians.<ref name="Dare to Dream - Official concert program"> Bio from: {{cite book|title = Dare to Dream - Official concert program | |||
| publisher = ]|year = 1992|accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref> In 2003, he returned for the 60-city '']'' tour.<ref name="reflections">{{cite web |url=http://www.serve.com/gregl7/bradley.htm |title=Profile at ''Reflections''| publisher= (serve.com) |accessdate=2007-05-14 |author= |last= |first= |year=2003 |work= }}</ref> | |||
===Sheena Easton=== | |||
Joseph also performed with ] for four years as her ] and lead keyboardist.<ref name="Continuing Journey" |
Joseph also performed with ] for four years as her ] and lead keyboardist.<ref name="Continuing Journey"/> 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 ] style. "I went back to where I started but it felt like a new invention."<ref name="Joseph has Encountered Fame"/> | ||
{{Rquote|right|Working with Easton was "...a shock in musical styles but a welcome change."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/>}} |
{{Rquote|right|Working with Easton was "...a shock in musical styles but a welcome change."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/>}}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.<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley"/> Tour venues with her included Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and the United States,<ref name="Official bio"/> as well as routine appearances in ] and ].<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley"/> In March 1995, he appeared with her on '']'' when she performed her new single at the time, "My Cherie".<ref name="Joseph Tonight Show"/> | ||
|url= http://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/content/3rd-annual-wps-arts-academics-gala-1 | |||
|title= 3rd Annual WPS Arts & Academics Gala | |||
|publisher=(willmar.k12.mn.us) | |||
|accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref> | |||
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.<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley"/> Tour venues with her included Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and the United States,<ref name="Official bio"/> as well as routine appearances in ] and ].<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley"/> In March 1995, he appeared with her on the '']'' when she performed her new single at the time, "My Cherie".<ref name="Joseph Tonight Show">{{cite news|last = Miller|first = Gary|url=| title =''Joseph, Tonight Show'' | |||
| publisher = West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (], U.S.)|date = 1995-03-24|accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref> | |||
===Solo career=== | ===Solo career=== | ||
In 1994, between world tours, Joseph released his debut album, '']'', 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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> They include ] (drums, percussion); ] (fretless bass); ] (vocals); and ]-winning violinist ]. Other guest artists include Larry Preston (guitar); and Terry Brau — featured on numerous Bradley Joseph recordings — playing trumpet, saxophone, and ]. | |||
{{Rquote|left|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.|Ken Moore|''Naples Daily News''<ref name="NaplesDailyNews"/>}} | |||
Joseph's style attracted the attention of ],<ref name="ShowGo">{{cite web |author=|url=http://www.countryroads.net/showgo/storytest.cfm?story_ID=1418 |title=ShowGo|publisher = (countryroads.net)|year = 2001|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> a ] subsidiary, via the ]. 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 ].<ref name="BerkleeShares">Mr. Joseph is referenced in book by: {{cite book|last = Spellman|first=Peter (author)|coauthors=Fiest, Jonathan (editor) | |||
|title = The Musician's Internet|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=wAwFYg56rAYC&pg=PA86&lpg=PA86&dq=%22bradley+joseph%22+music&source=web&ots=6LDlcA--pA&sig=tJ-dYGDa5OuXoH8ZhnFM1dB31IU | |||
|publisher=Berklee Press Publications|month=March | year=2002|id=ISBN 063403586X|accessdate =2007-06-05|page=86}}</ref> The outcome was '']'', containing intimate piano pieces, quartets, and full orchestral works.<ref name="Official bio"/> It reached NAV's "Airwaves Top 30" at #15 in July 1997.<ref name="New Age VoiceTop30">{{cite news|title = Airwaves Top 30 — July 1997|publisher=New Age Voice, (currently newagereporter.com)|date=1997-07-25|accessdate=2007-06-04}}</ref> This album was recorded at a number of different studios including ]'s studio in ],<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> and ] in ].<ref name="Blllboard Magazine">{{cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/19970530224716/www.bradleyjoseph.com/billboard.html|title= ''Rapture'' at Pachyderm.|publisher=] (scanned version and retrieved from an archived page of bradleyjoseph.com)|year=1997|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> In addition to a core band including ] on percussion, ] on violin, and Steven Trochlil on clarinet, Joseph brought in a 50-piece orchestra, and conducted and wrote all the scores.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> 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."<ref name="NaplesDailyNews"/> ''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 ]."<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage">{{cite web|author=Debbage, Michael |url=http://www.windandwire.com/february/the_journey_continues.htm |title= Review of ''The Journey Continues'' | |||
|publisher = Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com) | |||
|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> One of Joseph's compositions, "]", was written solely for the album '']'', and is now also featured on '']''. His works are included in other Narada compilation projects as well. | |||
====More Core Records==== | |||
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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> He started Robbins Island Music in 1998, composing, producing, and distributing his own recordings. '']'' was released and consists of eleven soft piano compositions that are based on mood and not on melody.<ref name="WPSaward"/> It is characterized by Debbage as being a "scaled down introspective, ... and while simplistic was still breath-taking".<ref name="Christmas Around the World at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage">{{cite web|author=Debbage, Michael| url=http://www2.bitstream.net/~billb/bradley_joseph.htm|title= Review of ''Christmas Around the World''|publisher= Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> | |||
In 1994, between world tours, Joseph released his debut album, '']'', 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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
====Narada==== | |||
Later releases include '']'' reaching NAV's top 100 radio playlist;<ref name="New Age Voice">New Age Voice, currently {{cite web|url= http://www.newagereporter.com/home/welcome.asp|title= New Age Reporter|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> and '']'' also holding a position on NAV's top 100 radio chart for over six months.<ref name="NAV's top 100">{{cite web |url= http://web.archive.org/web/20020607112717/www.newagevoice.com/chart13.htm|title= 2002 New Age Voice Top 100 Radio Chart|publisher = New Age Reporter (archived page of newagevoice.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> 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."<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB">{{cite web |author=Binkelman, Bill |url= http://www2.bitstream.net/~billb/bradley_joseph.htm|title= Review of ''One Deep Breath''|publisher = Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> Reviewing for '']'', 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."<ref name="One Deep Breath at Allmusic">{{cite web |author=Brenholts, Jim | |||
{{Rquote|left|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.|Ken Moore|''Naples Daily News''<ref name="NaplesDailyNews"/>}} | |||
|url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jzh1z83a3yvj |title= Review of ''One Deep Breath''|publisher = ]|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> {{Rquote|right|The special audiences and beautiful cities inspired me to compose after sound checks... What an inspiration it was for me to sit alone on stage in these grand arenas and compose music.<ref name="Fall 2003 Newsletter"/>}} | |||
Joseph's style attracted the attention of ],<ref name="ShowGo"/> a ] subsidiary, via the ]. This resulted in Narada signing Joseph to a multi-record deal, according to Peter Spellman of the ].<ref name="BerkleeShares"/> The outcome was '']'', containing intimate piano pieces, quartets, and full orchestral works.<ref name="Official bio"/> It reached ZMR's "Airwaves Top 30" at No. 15 in July 1997.<ref name="New Age VoiceTop30"/> This album was recorded at a number of different studios including ]'s studio in ],<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> and ] in ].<ref name="Blllboard Magazine"/> In addition to a core band including ] on percussion, ] on violin, and Steven Trochlil on clarinet, Joseph brought in a 50-piece orchestra, and conducted and wrote all the scores.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
====Robbins Island Music==== | |||
Joseph returned as a featured instrumentalist during Yanni's 2003 '']'' world tour,<ref name="Ethnicity">{{cite book| title = Ethnicity World Tour 2003–2004 - Official concert program|publisher = ]|year = 2003 | |||
Although Joseph said that working with Narada was a great experience music-wise, he did not like the lack of control over the end product and asked to be released from his contract.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> He started Robbins Island Music in 1998, composing, producing, and distributing his own recordings. '']'' was released and consists of eleven soft piano compositions that are based on mood and not on melody.<ref name="WPSaward"/> It is characterized by Debbage as being a "scaled down introspective, ... and while simplistic was still breath-taking."<ref name="Christmas Around the World at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> | |||
| accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref> and wrote his sixth album on stage after sound checks.<ref name="Fall 2003 Newsletter">Quote from: {{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20031220235706/http://bradleyjoseph.com/newsletter.asp|title=Fall 2003 Newsletter|publisher =(archived page of bradleyjoseph.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> '']'', 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."<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> | |||
Later releases include '']'' reaching ] Top 100 Radio Playlist;<ref name="New Age Voice"/> and '']'' also holding a position on ZMR's Top 100 Radio Chart for over six months.<ref name="NAV's top 100"/> {{Rquote|right|The special audiences and beautiful cities inspired me to compose after sound checks... What an inspiration it was for me to sit alone on stage in these grand arenas and compose music.<ref name="Fall 2003 Newsletter"/>}} | |||
Joseph was named one of the ''"Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans"'' (TOYM) of 2004 by the Minnesota ].<ref name="TOYM Award">{{cite news | |||
|url= http://jaycees.willmarnet.com/bradley.joseph.html|title= TOYM Award|publisher=Minnesota Jaycees (jaycees.willmar.com)|date=2004-09-11|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref><ref name="WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan">{{cite news|last = Drey|first =Patricia|title = WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan|publisher =White Bear Press (presspubs.com) (], U.S.)|date = 2004-09-15|url= http://presspubs.com/articles/2004/09/15/community/2004091526-archive.txt|accessdate =2007-04-03}}</ref><ref name="Metro People Bradley Joseph">{{cite news|title = Metro People Bradley Joseph|publisher = ]|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1052F841F1EA0289&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|format=fee required|date = 2004-09-15|accessdate=2007-04-03}}</ref> During the same year, Orange Music released two compilation CDs; '']'' and '']'', in addition to re-releasing his ''Christmas Around the World'' album.<ref name="Orange Music Catalog">{{cite web |url= http://www.orangemusicnet.com/catalogue/album.html?id=112 | |||
|title= Orange Music catalog|publisher=(orangemusicnet.com) | |||
|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> These are distributed throughout Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia.<ref name="Fall 2004 Newsletter">{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20061113162939/http://bradleyjoseph.com/newsletter.asp|title=Fall 2004 Newsletter|publisher = (archived page from bradleyjoseph.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> 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."<ref name="In the Heart of Everyone">{{cite news|author=Yeoh Wee Teck|date =2006-03-26|url= http://www.bradleyjoseph.com/newsarchive.html|title=Review of ''In the Heart of Everyone''|publisher=''The News Paper'' (Singapore); (scanned version at bradleyjoseph.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> | |||
Joseph returned as a featured instrumentalist during Yanni's 2003 '']'' world tour,<ref name="Ethnicity"/> and wrote his sixth album on stage after sound checks.<ref name="Fall 2003 Newsletter"/> '']'', a sequel to ''Solo Journey.''<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> | |||
Subsequent releases include '']'', '']'', and '']''. On these albums, Joseph arranges piano, orchestra, and soft rhythms to cover melodies such as "]" (]), "]" (]), and "]" (]). He has produced numerous CD and DVD projects designed for pets in a '']'' series.<ref name="WBL">{{cite news|last = Morgan|first =Mike|title = WBL musician captivates four-legged audience, Special pet CDs a hit with animal lovers |publisher =White Bear Press (presspubs.com) (], U.S.)|date = 2008-03-12|url= http://presspubs.com/articles/2008/03/15/white_bear_press/news/doc47d7ea1fa3693289260277.txt | |||
|accessdate =2008-03-19}}</ref><ref name="">{{cite video |people= |date=2008-09-04 |title=Bradley Joseph interview |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwC1XD-DZTs |format= |medium= Television production|publisher=Government Television Network |location= |accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> His music is used throughout the DVD, ''Isle Royale Impressions Volume II'', containing video footage by Carl TerHaar of scenery and wildlife from the ] in Michigan.<ref name="IRNHA">{{cite web|url= http://www.irnha.org/the.store?cart_id=5565261.31938&page=/catalog/IRNHAproducts.html#video | |||
Subsequent releases include '']'', '']'', and '']''. On these albums, Joseph arranges piano, orchestra, and soft rhythms to cover melodies such as "]" (]), "]" (]), and "]" (]). He has produced numerous CD and DVD projects designed for pets in a '']'' series.<ref name="WBL"/><ref name="GTN"/> He has also produced a four-CD set of Nature Sounds and has published many of his compositions in sheet music form. His music is used throughout the DVD, ''Isle Royale Impressions Volume II'', containing video footage by Carl TerHaar of scenery and wildlife from the ] in Michigan.<ref name="IRNHA"/> | |||
|title= IRNHA catalog|publisher=] (irnha.org)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> Joseph has published many of his compositions in sheet music form. His music has been heard in regular ] in the United States and Canada by more than 160 major radio networks including ] and ] satellite radio; in the United Kingdom including ]; as well as airwaves in Japan, Spain, China, South-East Asia, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia.<ref>{{cite web | |||
|url= http://www.xmfan.com/guide.php?q=bradley+joseph&mode=artist | |||
In April 2013, Joseph released his first album of original compositions in 10 years entitled '']'' which debuted at #15 on ZMR's Top 100 Radio Chart. It is self-described as "piano instrumentals with a cinematic feel".<ref name="PTS-PressRelease"/> He received requests from listeners to do another CD with original compositions that incorporate lush orchestration along with the piano, similar to ''Hear The Masses'' and ''Rapture''.<ref name="Parsons-Interview"/> | |||
|title= XM Satellite Radio playlist | |||
|publisher=(xmfan.com) | |||
====Accolades and achievements==== | |||
|accessdate=2006-12-21 }}</ref><ref> | |||
Joseph was named one of the ''"Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans"'' (TOYM) of 2004 by the Minnesota ].<ref name="TOYM Award"/><ref name="WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan"/><ref name="Metro People Bradley Joseph"/> In April 2008 he was presented the "WPS Foundation Arts and Academics Hallmarks of Pride" award for outstanding achievements by an alumnus.<ref name="WPSaward"/> | |||
{{cite web | |||
|url=http://www.dogstarradio.com/search_playlist.php?artist=bradley+joseph | |||
Joseph's music has been heard in regular ] in the United States and Canada by more than 160 major radio networks including ] and ] satellite radio, ]; in the United Kingdom including ]; as well as airwaves in Japan, Spain, China, South-East Asia, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia. Airlines such as ], ], ], and ] feature his music in their ] programs. ] also utilizes his compositions during the "Local on the 8s" segments, and the song "]" is included in their 2008 compilation release, '']''.<ref name="TWC-Midas"/> | |||
|title= Sirius Satellite Radio playlist | |||
|publisher=(dogstarradio.com) | |||
''Paint the Sky'' (2013) was nominated for Best ] Album in the 10th annual ZMR Music Awards.<ref name="ZMR Nom"/> | |||
|accessdate=2006-12-21 }}</ref> | |||
<ref> | |||
{{cite web | |||
|url= http://www.rte.ie/lyricfm/daybreak/1268762.html | |||
|title= RTÉ lyric fm radio playlist | |||
|publisher=(rte.ie/lyricfm) | |||
|accessdate=2009-04-14 }}</ref> Airlines such as ], ], ], ], and ] feature Joseph's music in their in-flight music programs. ] also utilizes his compositions during the "Local on the 8s" segments, and his song "]" is included in their 2008 compilation release, '']''.<ref>{{cite web | |||
|url= http://midasrecords.com/news-detail.php?pageid=690322&newsid=1702|title= The Weather Channel Strikes the Right Chord by Offering Musical Encore|publisher=(midasrecords.com) | |||
|accessdate=2008-06-11 }}</ref> In April 2008 Joseph was presented the "WPS Foundation Arts and Academics Hallmarks of Pride" award for outstanding achievements by an alumnus.<ref name="WPSaward"/> | |||
====Thoughts on success as an independent artist==== | ====Thoughts on success as an independent artist==== | ||
Having experienced both avenues of recording on a ] and later choosing to be an ], a combination of musicianship with business know-how has helped give Joseph staying power in the notoriously competitive world of music. |
Having experienced both avenues of recording on a ] and later choosing to be an ], 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 ]'s Anne Polta.<ref name="Continuing Journey"/> As an independent, business is a prime concern and can take over if not controlled, Joseph said.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> "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."<ref name="Continuing Journey"/> | ||
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."<ref name="NFOJ"/> 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."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> 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."<ref name=NFOJ/> | |||
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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
==Composition and musical style== | |||
===On composing=== | |||
{{Rquote|left|The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own.<ref name="AlbumNotesGrand"/>}} | |||
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."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> This same concept is explained again in a taped interview with the ''Government Television Network'' with Joseph explaining that a lot of times he may only come up with part of a melody. Then he would let it rest and come back to it and see if it feels right. Then he would start "building around it", like putting a car together - start with a frame and then start building things around it.<ref name="GTN"/> Musically, he tries to connect a common bridge between such exhilarating feelings as performing at the Acropolis, to the emotions each and every one feels every day. "In the end, a good melody will always stand the test of time," says Joseph.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
Polta reports that he often references the past when he names his songs, and his music is frequently reminiscent of his rural ] roots.<ref name="Continuing Journey"/> "Wind Farmer" was inspired by childhood visits to a relative's farm near ], and his company, Robbins Island Music, is named after a city park in ].<ref name="Continuing Journey"/> | |||
Joseph employs a variety of instruments to compose including the ] music workstation, Korg SG-1 piano, and occasionally ]. Rack units have included ], and ] which he says is "great for string layers".<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> The ], Yamaha SY22, and ] which has "some nice ethereal textures" have been utilized; working also with ] Proteus 1, Proteus 2, and the E-5000 sampler because it is "easy to use and has a great library."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
===Musical style=== | |||
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." "Perseverance is King."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> 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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> | |||
<!--Per 2013 NFC Review - Suggestion to obtain talk page consensus before adding clips from future works. (see talk)) --> | |||
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."<ref name="WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan"/> | |||
== |
====''Hear the Masses'' and ''Rapture''==== | ||
{{Listen | |||
Joseph believes that "music allows a person to express their deepest thoughts, thoughts that cannot be expressed with just words." <ref name="xtrememusic.org">Interview: {{cite web |author= St. Vincent, Justin |url=http://www.xtrememusic.org/world/joseph_bradley.pdf|title=The Spiritual Significance of Music'|format=pdf|publisher = ()|date = 2009-02-24|accessdate=2009-03-30}}</ref> 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".<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> In an interview with ''Indie Journal,'' he has 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."<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> The range of ways in which he utilizes ]s is equally as characteristic, inspired early in life by keyboard-oriented pop/rock bands like ] and ].<ref name="Official bio"/>{{Listen | |||
|filename =Bradley Joseph The Passage.ogg | |filename =Bradley Joseph The Passage.ogg | ||
|title =The Passage | |title =The Passage | ||
|description = "Strings swell on 'The Passage', engulfing the listener in an ocean of sound".<ref name="New Age Voice Rapture"/> | |description = "Strings swell on 'The Passage', engulfing the listener in an ocean of sound".<ref name="New Age Voice Rapture"/> | ||
|filename2 =Bradley Joseph Be Still.ogg | |||
|title2 = Be Still | |||
|description2 = An arrangement "structured so that the trumpet can lead a line out ... signaling an introspective sort of mood."<ref name="New Age Voice Rapture"/> | |||
|filename3 =Bradley Joseph Blue Rock Road.ogg | |||
|title3 = Blue Rock Road | |||
|description3 = "Even cuts that start quiet, such as 'Healing the Hollow Man' or 'Blue Rock Road' ebb and flow between quiet moments and crescendos."<ref name="New Age Voice Rapture"/>|pos=left | |||
}} | }} | ||
Joseph's |
Joseph's recordings can offer full orchestrations such as in ''Hear the Masses'' and ''Rapture'' that combine smooth jazz with contemporary instrumental themes.<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> 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."<ref name="New Age Voice Rapture"/> | ||
{{Listen | |||
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."<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> As examples, Debbage describes Joseph as using a chord progression that translates into a strolling rhythm in the song "The Road Ahead".<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> ''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."<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-SJ">{{cite web |author=Parsons, Kathy|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070516023841/http://www.solopianopublications.com/reviews/joseph.htm|title=Review of ''Solo Journey''|publisher = Solo Piano Publications (archived page of solopianopublications.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> {{Listen | |||
|filename =Bradley Joseph The Long, Last Mile.ogg | |filename =Bradley Joseph The Long, Last Mile.ogg | ||
|title = The Long Last Mile | |title = The Long Last Mile | ||
|description = From '']'', this song "...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".<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-SJ"/> | |description = From '']'', this song "...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".<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-SJ"/> | ||
}} | |||
|filename2 =Bradley Joseph The Road Ahead.ogg | |||
|title2 = The Road Ahead | |||
====''Solo Journey'' and ''The Journey Continues''==== | |||
|description2 = A solo piano composition from '']'' in which Joseph "uses a chord progression that translates into a strolling rhythm".<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> | |||
In contrast, 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."<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> As examples, Debbage describes Joseph as using a chord progression that translates into a strolling rhythm in the song "The Road Ahead".<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> ''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."<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-SJ"/> | |||
|filename3 =Bradley Joseph Dance of Life.ogg | |||
|title3 = Dance of Life | |||
====''One Deep Breath''==== | |||
|description3 = From '']'', "Dance of Life" was inspired by ]'s opera, "]".<ref name="AlbumNotesODB"/> "It is a bit more straightforward in its piano presentation...".<ref name="InstrumentalWeekly"/> | |||
For the 2002 album ''One Deep Breath'', Joseph combines "structured melodic pieces and free-form ambient compositions",<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-ODB"/> which "departs dramatically from the previous more explosive and dynamic music on his first two recordings, ''Hear the Masses'' and ''Rapture''".<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB"/> 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."<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB"/> For instance, the song "Dance of Life" was inspired by ]'s opera, "]".<ref name="AlbumNotesODB"/> 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''.<ref name="InstrumentalWeekly"/> Then the album closes with its title track, "One Deep Breath", that "floats and meanders for more than ten minutes, bringing in ocean sounds."<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-ODB"/> It is "far and away the most ambient of everything else to be found here,"<ref name="InstrumentalWeekly">{{cite web |url=http://www.instrumentalweekly.com/reviewarchive/mar2002/20020301.asp|title= Review of ''One Deep Breath''|publisher = Instrumental Weekly (archived page from instrumentalweekly.com)|access-date=2006-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020706100223/http://www.instrumentalweekly.com/reviewarchive/mar2002/20020301.asp |archive-date=2002-07-06}}</ref> and is "stunning, both in its execution and how radical a change it is from what has come before."<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB"/> | |||
====''Christmas Around the World'' and ''Classic Christmas''==== | |||
Debbage depicts "A Minnesota Snowfall" from ''Christmas Around the World'' as taking "a more naked, bare-boned ] approach."<ref name="Christmas Around the World at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> While discussing '']'', 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.<ref name="northwestern"/> | |||
====''Suites & Sweets''==== | |||
Joseph has also produced numerous CDs that include cover arrangements for piano and orchestra. The 2009 release of '']'' features compositions by ], ], ], 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."<ref name="st.croix"/> | |||
====''Paint the Sky''==== | |||
{{Listen | |||
|filename =Bradley Joseph Inside the Stars.ogg | |||
|title =Inside the Stars | |||
|description = Bill Binkelman of ''Wind and Wire'' describes this song as "an uptempo, joyous lead piano melody accented by bouncy rhythms played on kit drums, thumping bass, and tambourine plus superlative orchestral strings".<ref name="windwire-PTS"/> | |||
}} | }} | ||
After requests from listeners for Joseph to do another CD with original compositions that incorporate lush orchestration along with the piano, similar to ''Hear The Masses'' and ''Rapture'', Joseph released '']'' in April 2013.<ref name="Parsons-Interview"/> It is self-described as "piano instrumentals with a cinematic feel".<ref name="PTS-PressRelease"/> John P. Olsen of ''New Age Music World'' writes that "''Paint The Sky'' ...is best expressed by the near even number of songs with upbeat melodies and lively rhythms, with the balance centered by a light, casual relaxed atmosphere...with importance given to melodic rhythm and phrasing."<ref name="olsen-PTS"/> In another review of ''Paint the Sky'', Bill Binkelman of ''Wind and Wire'' says that "Joseph is one of the very best artists when it comes to crafting piano instrumentals augmented by the spot-on application of an assortment of keyboard embellishments, from standard orchestral accompaniment to more textural/new age elements".<ref name="windwire-PTS"/> Kathy Parsons of ''MainlyPiano'' states "The thirteen pieces" ...range from tender to majestic. Several pieces are solo piano and others are orchestrated with keyboards to give a vibrant, cinematic effect."<ref name="parsons-PTS"/> | |||
For the 2002 album ''One Deep Breath'', Joseph combines "structured melodic pieces and free-form ambient compositions",<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-ODB">{{cite web |author=Parsons, Kathy|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070516023841/http://www.solopianopublications.com/reviews/joseph.htm|title=Review of ''One Deep Breath''|publisher = Solo Piano Publications (archived page of solopianopublications.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> which "departs dramatically from the previous more explosive and dynamic music on his first two recordings, ''Hear the Masses'' and ''Rapture''".<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB"/> 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."<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB"/> For instance, the song "Dance of Life" was inspired by ]'s opera, "]".<ref name="AlbumNotesODB">{{cite album-notes |title= One Deep Breath|albumlink=One Deep Breath|bandname=Bradley Joseph |year= 2002|format= CD liner|publisher= Robbins Island Music|publisherid=ODB-4D}}</ref> 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''.<ref name="InstrumentalWeekly"/> Then the album closes with its title track, "One Deep Breath", that "floats and meanders for more than ten minutes, bringing in ocean sounds".<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-ODB"/> It is "far and away the most ambient of everything else to be found here",<ref name="InstrumentalWeekly">{{cite web |author= |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20020706100223/www.instrumentalweekly.com/reviewarchive/mar2002/20020301.asp|title= Review of ''One Deep Breath''|publisher = Instrumental Weekly (archived page from instrumentalweekly.com)|accessdate=2006-12-21}}</ref> and is "stunning, both in its execution and how radical a change it is from what has come before".<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB"/> Debbage depicts "A Minnesota Snowfall" from ''Christmas Around the World'' as taking "a more naked, bare-boned ] approach".<ref name="Christmas Around the World at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage"/> | |||
About this album, Binkelman describes the song "Inside the Stars" as "an uptempo, joyous lead piano melody accented by bouncy rhythms played on kit drums, thumping bass, and tambourine plus superlative orchestral strings".<ref name="windwire-PTS"/> Michael Debagge of ''MainlyPiano'' states that "the optimism of this album is felt immediately courtesy of the buoyancy of 'Inside The Stars', filled with Joseph's nifty piano work more in the vein of ], then layered in strings and percussion work".<ref name="Debbage-PTS"/> | |||
Joseph has also produced numerous CDs that include cover arrangements for piano and orchestra. While discussing '']'', 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.<ref name="northwestern">{{cite news|last=Grzyb|first=Gerry|title = Dr. Christmas presents roundup of new Christmas CDs|publisher = The Northwestern (thenorthwestern.com),(], U.S.)|url=|format=|date = 2008-12-16|accessdate =2008-12-19}}</ref> The 2009 release of '']'' features compositions by ], ], ], 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."<ref name="st.croix"/> | |||
In an in-depth analysis of the composition "In Dreams Awake", Binkelman opines that this song bears a strong contemporary classical influence and that some people might even hear strains of ]' music. He says there is an exultant feel to the melody, but because Joseph maintains absolute control of nuance and shading the song never descends into overblown melodrama or bombast. As the track progresses, the mood and style shifts into a more identifiable new age motif, with more textural synths, bell tones and bell trees, and a more pronounced sweeping sensation of subdued grandeur. The Glass-like motif returns for the song's finale.<ref name="windwire-PTS"/> Parsons characterizes this same song as "a concept piece that begins with an intense and intriguing theme for cello or viola and strings. Building as it evolves, it never takes a breath until near the end of the theme. From there, the piece becomes dreamy and ambient, "floating effortlessly" on keyboard sounds until the original strings re-enter, increasing to the intensity of the first theme".<ref name="parsons-PTS"/> At the same time, Debbage notes "...the multi-movements found on the challenging 'In Dreams Awake'..." and says that it "...opens with an extended piece of strings that almost appear to be battling against each other, only to move into a beautiful dreamy midsection to once again return to the more chaotic strings, much like our nonsensical dreams."<ref name="Debbage-PTS"/> | |||
Generally, Joseph's music gets airplay in the ], ], ], and ] radio formats, and while some is classified in the ] genre, he considers ] to fit his style of playing the best.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> In discussing ''Rapture'', John Blake of '']'' 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."<ref name="Atlanta">{{cite news|last=Blake|first=John|title =Joseph's solo debut has range |publisher = ] (], U.S.)|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA33238C305F1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePMformat=fee|format=fee required|date = 1997-07-19|accessdate =2008-01-18}}</ref> "The music is cinematic, filled with introspective piano solos, swelling violins, and a hypnotic song pacing that allows the listener to daydream."<ref name="Atlanta"/> | |||
Binkleman goes on to say that the song "Into the Big Blue" should instantly call ] to mind – it has the same BIG orchestral/cinematic sound to it, along with Copland-esque western rhythm and melodic motifs.<ref name="windwire-PTS"/> Similarly, Debbage states that this song brings to mind the musical opening theme of that old western television show '']''.<ref name="Debbage-PTS"/> | |||
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."<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-ODB"/> Yanni once said, "Bradley, your extreme sensitivity is your greatest gift".<ref name="WPSaward"/> 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".<ref name="WPSaward"/> 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.<ref name="xtrememusic.org"/> 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.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> {{Rquote|left|The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own.|Bradley Joseph|<ref name="AlbumNotesGrand">Quote from: {{cite album-notes |title=Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection) |albumlink=Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection)|bandname=Various Artists |year= 1997|format= CD liner|publisher= ]|publisherid=ND2-61062}}</ref>}} Polta reports that he often references the past when he names his songs and his music is frequently reminiscent of his rural ] roots.<ref name="Continuing Journey"/> "Wind Farmer" was inspired by childhood visits to a relative's farm near ], and his company, Robbins Island Music, is named after a city park in ].<ref name="Continuing Journey"/> | |||
In reference to the song "Secrets of the Sun", Binkelman describes "lush strings and gorgeous new age synths with the piano melody here brimming with a blend of the ethereal and the romantic with a dash of wistfulness besides". The synth sounds remind him a little of ].<ref name="windwire-PTS"/> Parsons details this as "much calmer and more graceful with a piano melody and keyboard enhancements."<ref name="parsons-PTS"/> Debbage writes that "the remainder of the album is filled with Joseph's uncanny ability to compose elegant and emotive ballads. Back track to 'Secrets Of The Sun' that gently sways in the piano and string arrangements with similar results found on 'The Edge Of My Heart'.<ref name="Debbage-PTS"/> | |||
Joseph employs a variety of instruments to compose including the ] music workstation, Korg SG-1 piano, and occasionally ].<ref name="epand">{{cite web|last =Epand| first =Victor|title =The Rise And Popularity Of Digital Synthesizers| publisher = (articlesbase.com)| date =2007-11-20 | url =http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/the-rise-and-popularity-of-digital-synthesizers-263749.html| | |||
accessdate =2007-11-23}}</ref> Rack units have included ], and ] which he says is "great for string layers".<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> The ], Yamaha SY22, and ] which has "some nice ethereal textures" have been utilized; working also with ] Proteus 1, Proteus 2, and the E-5000 sampler because it is "easy to use and has a great library".<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> Acoustic pianos vary, ] and ] were used for the 1997 album, ''Rapture''. | |||
===Genres and radio formats=== | |||
Generally, Joseph's music gets airplay in the ], ], ], and ] radio formats, and while some is classified in the ] genre, he considers ] to fit his style of playing the best.<ref name="Indie Journal Interview"/> In discussing ''Rapture'', John Blake of '']'' 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."<ref name="Atlanta"/> "The music is cinematic, filled with introspective piano solos, swelling violins, and a hypnotic song pacing that allows the listener to daydream."<ref name="Atlanta"/> Along the same line, Michael Debbage of ''Mainly Piano'' says that ''Rapture'' almost single-handedly gave a sense of hope that there was much more that the New Age genre could offer.<ref name="Debbage-PTS"/> Cicily 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."<ref name="NFOJ"/> | |||
==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
{| | |||
|valign="top"| | |||
===Studio albums=== | ===Studio albums=== | ||
*'']'' |
* 1994 - '']'' | ||
*'']'' |
* 1997 - '']'', ] | ||
*'']'' |
* 1999 - '']'' | ||
*'']'' |
* 2000 - '']'' | ||
*'']'' |
* 2002 - '']'' | ||
*'']'' |
* 2003 - '']'' | ||
*'']'' |
* 2005 - '']'' | ||
* 2006 - '']'' | |||
*'']'' (2005) | |||
*'']'' |
* 2007 - '']'' | ||
*'']'' |
* 2008 - '']'' | ||
* 2008 - '']'' Series (2004–2008) | |||
*'']'' (2008) | |||
*'']'' |
* 2009 - '']'' | ||
* 2010 - "Rest and Relax" Series: ''Forest Sounds'', ''Ocean Waves'', ''Thunder'', and ''Nature Sounds with Music'' | |||
* 2013 - '']'' | |||
===Compilations=== | |||
*'']'' (2004), Orange Music | |||
*'']'' (2004), Orange Music | |||
|valign="top"| | |||
===Credits=== | ===Credits=== | ||
*'']'' |
* 1993 - '']'', ] | ||
*'']'' |
* 1994 - '']'', Private Music | ||
*'']'' |
* 1999 - '']'', Private Music | ||
* 2010 - '']'', Masterworks | |||
== See also == | |||
===Compilation appearances=== | |||
*] | |||
*'']'' (1997), ] | |||
*'']'' (1997), Narada | |||
*'']'' (1997), Oreade | |||
*'']'' (1997), Narada | |||
*'']'' (1998), Narada | |||
*'']'' (2001), Narada | |||
*'']'' (2003), ] | |||
*'']'' (2008), ] | |||
|} | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{reflist| |
{{reflist|30em|refs= | ||
<ref name="NaplesDailyNews">{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Ken|title= ''Rapture'' — Bradley Joseph (Narada)|publisher = Naples Daily News (], U.S.)|date = 1997-04-25}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="st.croix">{{cite news|last=Fredericksen |first=Jane |title=White Bear Lake pianist delivers 'suite' release |url=http://www.presspubs.com/articles/2009/08/13/st_croix_valley_press/entertainment/doc4a8446c4da23c753654626.txt |publisher=St. Croix Valley Press (presspubs.com) (Minnesota) |date=2009-08-13 |access-date=2009-08-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131183212/http://www.presspubs.com/articles/2009/08/13/st_croix_valley_press/entertainment/doc4a8446c4da23c753654626.txt |archive-date=2013-01-31}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Parsons-Interview">{{cite web |last1=Parsons |first1=Kathy |title=Interview with Bradley Joseph, May 2013 |url=https://mainlypiano.com/interviews/bradley-joseph-2013-may |website=mainlypiano.com |access-date=23 January 2019 |date=May 2013}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Heeeeeeere's Bradley">{{cite news|last = Miller|first = Gary|title = ''Heeeeeere's Bradley''|publisher = West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (Minnesota) |date= 1995-03-21}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="audiointerview">Interview: {{cite web |author=The Dagger |url=http://www.myhometownsports.com/audiolibrary/interviews/BradleyJoseph.mp3 |title=Where Are They Now: Pianist/composer Bradley Joseph took time out to talk with the Dagger about his music (16 CD's), family, and his music on the Weather Channel |publisher=(myhomestownsports.com) |date=2008-06-15 |access-date=2008-06-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624233455/http://www.myhometownsports.com/audiolibrary/interviews/BradleyJoseph.mp3 |archive-date=2008-06-24}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Official bio">{{cite web |title=Pianist Bradley Joseph - Bio |url=https://www.bradleyjoseph.com/bio |website=bradleyjoseph.com |access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="daily telegram1">{{cite news|title=Pianist to present a Christmas concert |publisher=The Daily Telegram (superiortelegram.com) (], U.S.) |url=https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=37&article_id=1045 |format=fee required |year=2002 |access-date=2008-01-18 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Indie Journal Interview">{{cite web |author=Wheeler, Fred |url=http://www.indiejournal.com/indiejournal/interviews/bradleyjoseph.htm |title=Interview with Bradley Joseph |publisher=Indie Journal |year = 2002 |access-date=2006-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050908010100/http://www.indiejournal.com/indiejournal/interviews/bradleyjoseph.htm |archive-date=2005-09-08 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="daily telegram2">{{cite news|title =Park concerts to begin Wednesday |publisher=The Daily Telegram (superiortelegram.com) (], U.S.) |url= https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=37&article_id=407 |format=fee required|date = 2002-08-23|access-date =2008-01-18}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Yanni in Words">{{cite book |last=Yanni |author2=Rensin, David |title=Yanni in Words |publisher=] |year=2002 |pages= |isbn=978-1-4013-5194-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/yanniinwords00yann/page/123 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="AlbumNotesStories">{{cite AV media notes|title=Stories (Narada Artist Collection)|others=Various Artists|year=1998|type=CD liner|publisher=Narada |id=72438-46700-2-3}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Bradley Joseph to play for Concerts in the Park">{{cite news|title=Bradley Joseph to play for Concerts in the Park |publisher=Brainerd Dispatch (brainderddispatch.com) (], Minnesota) |url=http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/070899/tem_0708990012.shtml |date=1999-07-08 |access-date=2007-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201134329/http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/070899/tem_0708990012.shtml |archive-date=2014-02-01}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="SJSheet">Bio from: {{cite book|last=Joseph|first=Bradley|title=Solo Journey Intermediate Piano Book|publisher = Bradley Joseph Publishing|year=2000}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1993 - Official concert program">Bio from: {{cite book|title=Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1993 - Official concert program |publisher=] |year=1993 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="SL Tribune1">{{cite news |last=Buttars |first=Lori |title =Yanni's New Age Compositions are at Home...|publisher=] (], U.S.) |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10112E4FD6708C92&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |format=fee required |date = 1993-06-27 |access-date =2008-01-18}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="SL Tribune2">{{cite news|last=Buttars|first=Lori|title =Yanni audience buckles up for 'symphony on speed' |publisher = ] (] |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=101179472BC6DA4E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |format=fee required |date=1991-05-30 |access-date =2008-01-18}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="AlbumNotesRapture">{{cite AV media notes |title=Rapture|title-link=Rapture (Bradley Joseph album)|others=Bradley Joseph |year=1997|type=CD liner|publisher=Narada |id=ND-63038 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Live, The Symphony Concerts 1994 - Official concert program">Bio from: {{cite book|title=Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1994 - Official concert program |publisher=Yanni|year=1994 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Dare to Dream - Official concert program">Bio from: {{cite book|title = Dare to Dream - Official concert program| publisher =Yanni|year = 1992}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="reflections">{{cite web|url=http://www.serve.com/gregl7/bradley.htm |title=Profile at ''Reflections'' |publisher=an Unofficial Yanni fan site (serve.com/gregl7/reflect.htm) |year=2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023164600/http://www.serve.com/gregl7/bradley.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2008 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Continuing Journey">{{cite news|last=Polta|first=Anne |title=Continuing Journey: Bradley Joseph sustains music career with songwriting, recording |publisher=West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (Minnesota) |date = 2007-02-08 |url=https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=22&article_id=16233 |access-date = 2007-02-18}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Joseph has Encountered Fame">{{cite news|last=Mikelson |first=Terry |title=Joseph Has Encountered Fame |publisher=Brainerd Dispatch (brainderddispatch.com) (], (Minnesota)|url=http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/071599/tem_0715990007.shtml |date=1999-07-15 |access-date=2007-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111071610/http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/071599/tem_0715990007.shtml |archive-date=2014-01-11}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="WPSaward">Speech: {{cite web|url=http://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/content/3rd-annual-wps-arts-academics-gala-1 |title=3rd Annual WPS Arts & Academics Gala |publisher=(willmar.k12.mn.us) |access-date=2008-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213153808/http://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/content/3rd-annual-wps-arts-academics-gala-1 |archive-date=February 13, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Joseph Tonight Show">{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Gary|title=''Joseph, Tonight Show''|publisher=West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (Minnesota, U.S.) |date=1995-03-24}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="ShowGo">{{cite web|url=http://www.countryroads.net/showgo/storytest.cfm?story_ID=1418 |title=ShowGo |publisher=(countryroads.net) |year=2001 |access-date=2007-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925050303/http://www.countryroads.net/showgo/storytest.cfm?story_ID=1418 |archive-date=2006-09-25}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="BerkleeShares">Mr. Joseph is referenced in book by: {{cite book|last=Spellman|first=Peter|editor=Fiest, Jonathan|title=The Musician's Internet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wAwFYg56rAYC&q=%22bradley+joseph%22+music&pg=PA86 |publisher=Berklee Press |date=March 2002|isbn=978-0-634-03586-9|access-date =2007-06-05|page=86}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="New Age VoiceTop30">{{cite news|title = Airwaves Top 30 — July 1997|publisher=New Age Voice, (currently zonemusicreporter.com)|date=1997-07-25}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Blllboard Magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.bradleyjoseph.com/billboard.html |title=''Rapture'' at Pachyderm|publisher=] (scanned version and retrieved from an archived page of bradleyjoseph.com) |year=1997 |access-date=2006-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970530224716/http://www.bradleyjoseph.com/billboard.html |archive-date=May 30, 1997 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="The Journey Continues at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage">{{cite web|author=Debbage, Michael |url=http://www.windandwire.com/february/the_journey_continues.htm |title=Review of ''The Journey Continues'' |publisher=Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com) |access-date=2006-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205201836/http://www.windandwire.com/february/the_journey_continues.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Christmas Around the World at Wind and Wire Magazine-Debbage">{{cite web|author=Debbage, Michael |url=http://www2.bitstream.net/~billb/bradley_joseph.htm |title=Review of ''Christmas Around the World'' |publisher=Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com) |access-date=2006-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030030/http://www2.bitstream.net/~billb/bradley_joseph.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="New Age Voice">New Age Voice, currently {{cite web|url=http://www.newagereporter.com/home/welcome.asp |title=Zone Music Reporter |access-date=2006-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107102737/http://www.newagereporter.com/home/welcome.asp |archive-date=2007-01-07 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="NAV's top 100">{{cite web |url= http://www.newagevoice.com/chart13.htm|title= 2002 New Age Voice Top 100 Radio Chart|publisher = New Age Reporter (archived page of newagevoice.com)|access-date=2006-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020607112717/http://www.newagevoice.com/chart13.htm |archive-date=2002-06-07}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="One Deep Breath-Wind and Wire Magazine-BB">{{cite web|author=Binkelman, Bill |url=http://www2.bitstream.net/~billb/bradley_joseph.htm |title=Review of ''One Deep Breath'' |publisher=Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com) |access-date=2006-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030030/http://www2.bitstream.net/~billb/bradley_joseph.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Ethnicity">{{cite book|title=Ethnicity World Tour 2003–2004 - Official concert program |publisher=] |year=2003}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Fall 2003 Newsletter">Quote from: {{cite web |url=http://bradleyjoseph.com/newsletter.asp |title=Fall 2003 Newsletter|publisher =(archived page of bradleyjoseph.com) |access-date=2006-12-21 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031220235706/http://bradleyjoseph.com/newsletter.asp |archive-date = 2003-12-20}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="WBL">{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Mike |title=WBL musician captivates four-legged audience |url=https://www.presspubs.com/white_bear/news/wbl-musician-captivates-four-legged-audience/article_ae1ebc4f-5fe4-548f-8107-d0928f39d733.html |website=Press Publications |access-date=23 January 2019 |date=12 March 2008}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="GTN">{{cite video|date=2008-09-04|title=Bradley Joseph interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwC1XD-DZTs| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626042054/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwC1XD-DZTs| archive-date=2014-06-26 | url-status=dead|medium=Television production|publisher=Government Television Network |access-date=2008-09-08}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="IRNHA">{{cite web|url= http://www.irnha.org/the.store?cart_id=5565261.31938&page=/catalog/IRNHAproducts.html#video|title= IRNHA catalog|publisher= ] (irnha.org) |access-date= 2006-12-21|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070509103758/http://www.irnha.org/the.store?cart_id=5565261.31938&page=%2Fcatalog%2FIRNHAproducts.html#video |archive-date= 2007-05-09}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="PTS-PressRelease">{{cite press release|url=http://www.prlog.org/12123648-keyboardistcomposer-bradley-josephs-first-all-original-cd-in-10-years-paint-the-sky.html|title=Keyboardist/composer Bradley Joseph's first all original CD in 10 years: PAINT THE SKY|publisher=PRLog.org|date=2013-04-22|access-date=2013-04-29}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="olsen-PTS">{{cite web|last=Olsen|first=John P.|title=Pre-release Album Review: Paint The Sky by top contemporary instrumental artist Bradley Joseph, composer, soloist and professional career musician with Yanni and Sheena Easton |publisher=NewAgeMusicWorld.com|date=20 February 2013 |url=http://www.newagemusicworld.com/bradley-joseph-paint-the-sky |access-date=31 March 2013 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="parsons-PTS">{{cite web |last1=Parsons |first1=Kathy |title=Paint the Sky by Bradley Joseph - Album Review |url=https://mainlypiano.com/reviews/bradley-joseph-paint-the-sky-review-by-kathy-parsons |website=mainlypiano.com |access-date=23 January 2019 |date=11 March 2013}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="windwire-PTS">{{cite web|url=http://windandwire.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-bradley-joseph-paint-sky.html| title=Review of ''Paint the Sky''|publisher=Wind and Wire|date=24 April 2013 |access-date=4 May 2013 |last=Binkelman |first=Bill}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Debbage-PTS">{{cite web |last1=Debbage |first1=Michael |title=Paint the sky by Bradley Joseph - Album Review |url=https://mainlypiano.com/reviews/bradley-joseph-paint-the-sky-review-by-michael-debbage |website=mainlypiano.com |access-date=23 January 2019 |date=10 June 2013}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="TWC-Midas">{{cite web|url=http://midasrecords.com/news-detail.php?pageid=690322&newsid=1702|title=The Weather Channel Strikes the Right Chord by Offering Musical Encore |publisher=(midasrecords.com) |access-date=2008-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006224034/http://midasrecords.com/news-detail.php?pageid=690322&newsid=1702 |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="TOYM Award">{{cite news|url=http://jaycees.willmarnet.com/bradley.joseph.html|title=TOYM Award|publisher=Minnesota Jaycees (jaycees.willmar.com)|date=2004-09-11 |access-date=2006-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818210100/http://jaycees.willmarnet.com/bradley.joseph.html |archive-date=August 18, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan">{{cite web |last1=Drey |first1=Patricia |title=WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan |url=https://www.presspubs.com/presspubs/article_42b64c5c-8f06-54ea-affb-93d50548f321.html |website=Press Publications |access-date=23 January 2019 |date=15 September 2004}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Metro People Bradley Joseph">{{cite news|title=Metro People Bradley Joseph|publisher=]|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1052F841F1EA0289&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |format=fee required|date=2004-09-15|access-date=2007-04-03}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="NFOJ">{{cite web|author=Janus, Cicily |author2=Radinsky, Ned |url=http://newfaceofjazz.com/?page_id=594 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818182148/http://newfaceofjazz.com/?page_id=594 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-08-18 |title=The New Face of Jazz: Bradley Joseph |publisher=(newfaceofjazz.com) |access-date=2010-08-01 }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="AlbumNotesGrand">Quote from: {{cite AV media notes |title=Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection) |title-link=Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection)|others=Various Artists |year= 1997|type= CD liner|publisher= ]|id=ND2-61062}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="New Age Voice Rapture">{{cite news|title = New Age Voice review of ''Rapture''|publisher=New Age Voice, (currently newagereporter.com)|date=1997-07-25}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-SJ">{{cite web|author=Parsons, Kathy|url=http://www.solopianopublications.com/reviews/joseph.htm|title=Review of ''Solo Journey''|publisher=Solo Piano Publications |access-date=2006-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516023841/http://www.solopianopublications.com/reviews/joseph.htm |archive-date=2007-05-16}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="SPP-Kathy Parsons-ODB">{{cite web|author=Parsons, Kathy|url=http://www.solopianopublications.com/reviews/joseph.htm|title=Review of ''One Deep Breath''|publisher=Solo Piano Publications |access-date=2006-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516023841/http://www.solopianopublications.com/reviews/joseph.htm |archive-date = 2007-05-16}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="AlbumNotesODB">{{cite AV media notes|title=One Deep Breath|title-link=One Deep Breath|others=Bradley Joseph|year= 2002|type= CD liner|publisher=Robbins Island Music|id=ODB-4D }}</ref> | |||
<ref name="northwestern">{{cite news|last=Grzyb|first=Gerry|title = Dr. Christmas presents roundup of new Christmas CDs|publisher=The Northwestern (thenorthwestern.com) (]) |date=2008-12-16}}</ref> | |||
<ref name="Atlanta">{{cite news|last=Blake|first=John|title =Joseph's solo debut has range |publisher = ] (], U.S.) |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA33238C305F1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePMformat=fee |format=fee required|date = 1997-07-19|access-date =2008-01-18}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* {{allmusicguide|id = 11:07ozef5khgf3|label=Bradley Joseph}} | |||
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* {{imdb name|id=2485047|title=Bradley Joseph}} | |||
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Composer, pianist, keyboardist, arranger, producer, recording artist | |||
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Latest revision as of 04:49, 7 January 2025
American composer, keyboardist, arranger, and producerThis article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
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Bradley Joseph | |
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Background information | |
Born | 1965 (age 59–60) Bird Island, Minnesota, United States |
Origin | Willmar, Minnesota, United States |
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Instrument |
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Years active | 1983–present |
Labels | |
Website | Official Website |
Bradley Joseph (born 1965), is an American composer, arranger, and producer of contemporary instrumental music. His compositions include works for Orchestra, Quartet and Solo Piano. He has been active since 1983, and he has played various instruments in rock bands throughout the Midwest. In 1989, the Greek composer Yanni hired him for his core band after hearing a tape of his original compositions. He was a featured concert keyboardist with Yanni on six major tours, most recently in 2003 for the 60-city Ethnicity tour.
He appears in the multi-platinum album and concert film, Live at the Acropolis. Joseph also spent five years as musical director and lead keyboardist for Sheena Easton, including a 1995 performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Joseph is the founder of the Robbins Island Music label. His solo career began when he independently released Hear the Masses, featuring many of his Yanni bandmates. This debut was followed by Rapture, an instrumental album recorded with a 50-piece orchestra in which Joseph wrote and conducted all the scores. It was released on the Narada label and reached the ZMR Airwaves Top 30. A number of subsequent recordings, including Christmas Around the World and One Deep Breath, also held positions on ZMR's Top 100 radio chart, with the most recent being Paint the Sky, which debuted on April 4, 2013. Paint the Sky was nominated for Best Neo-Classical Album at the 10th annual ZMR Music Awards. He has produced numerous CDs/DVDs and piano books. His music is included in multiple various-artist compilation albums, including the 2008 release of The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II.
Biography
Early years
Bradley Joseph was born in Bird Island, Minnesota and raised in Willmar, Minnesota, graduating from Willmar Senior High School in 1983. He learned how to play the piano from a how-to piano book he found in the piano bench. 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 Rich 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 timbres available, which was invaluable to him when he started working with orchestras. The first band he was in was a wedding dance band. After attending Moorhead State University 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 McNeill, whose U2-like group was signed to Polygram.
Yanni
In 1989, Joseph recorded his first demo tape and sent it off to Greek composer Yanni, who was looking for someone to replace keyboardist John Tesh, 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.
When I reflect back over the years, one of the high points that stand out include performing at the Acropolis with Yanni.
After moving to Los Angeles 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 Orchestra 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 Passion, Revolution in Sound, Dare to Dream, Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 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, Live at the Acropolis.
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 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 RCA, Epic, 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 Ethnicity tour.
Sheena Easton
Joseph also performed with Sheena Easton 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&B style. "I went back to where I started but it felt like a new invention."
Working with Easton was "...a shock in musical styles but a welcome change."
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 Vegas 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
More Core Records
In 1994, between world tours, Joseph released his debut album, Hear the Masses, 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.
Narada
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.
— Ken Moore, Naples Daily News
Joseph's style attracted the attention of Narada Productions, a Virgin Records subsidiary, via the World Wide Web. This resulted in Narada signing Joseph to a multi-record deal, according to Peter Spellman of the Berklee College of Music. The outcome was Rapture, containing intimate piano pieces, quartets, and full orchestral works. It reached ZMR's "Airwaves Top 30" at No. 15 in July 1997. This album was recorded at a number of different studios including Captain and Tennille's studio in Los Angeles, and Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. In addition to a core band including Charlie Adams on percussion, Charlie Bisharat on violin, and Steven Trochlil on clarinet, Joseph brought in a 50-piece orchestra, and conducted and wrote all the scores.
Robbins Island Music
Although Joseph said that working with Narada was a great experience music-wise, he 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 Journey 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 World reaching ZMR's Top 100 Radio Playlist; and One Deep Breath also holding a position on ZMR's Top 100 Radio Chart for over six months.
The special audiences and beautiful cities inspired me to compose after sound checks... What an inspiration it was for me to sit alone on stage in these grand arenas and compose music.
Joseph returned as a featured instrumentalist during Yanni's 2003 Ethnicity world tour, and wrote his sixth album on stage after sound checks. The Journey Continues, a sequel to Solo Journey.
Subsequent releases include For the Love of It, Piano Love Songs, and Hymns and Spiritual Songs. On these albums, Joseph arranges piano, orchestra, and soft rhythms to cover melodies such as "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (Burt Bacharach), "Fields of Gold" (Sting), and "Ave Maria" (Schubert). He has produced numerous CD and DVD projects designed for pets in a Music Pets Love series. He has also produced a four-CD set of Nature Sounds and has published many of his compositions in sheet music form. 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 Park in Michigan.
In April 2013, Joseph released his first album of original compositions in 10 years entitled Paint the Sky which debuted at #15 on ZMR's Top 100 Radio Chart. It is self-described as "piano instrumentals with a cinematic feel". He received requests from listeners to do another CD with original compositions that incorporate lush orchestration along with the piano, similar to Hear The Masses and Rapture.
Accolades and achievements
Joseph was named one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" (TOYM) of 2004 by the Minnesota Jaycees. In April 2008 he was presented the "WPS Foundation Arts and Academics Hallmarks of Pride" award for outstanding achievements by an alumnus.
Joseph's music has been heard in regular rotation in the United States and Canada by more than 160 major radio networks including XM and Sirius satellite radio, DMX; in the United Kingdom including RTÉ lyric fm; as well as airwaves in Japan, Spain, China, South-East Asia, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia. Airlines such as Aeroméxico, AirTran, Frontier, and JetBlue feature his music in their in-flight music programs. The Weather Channel also utilizes his compositions during the "Local on the 8s" segments, and the song "Friday's Child" is included in their 2008 compilation release, The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II.
Paint the Sky (2013) was nominated for Best Neo-Classical Album in the 10th annual ZMR Music Awards.
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 Tribune'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.
Composition and musical style
On composing
The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own.
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." This same concept is explained again in a taped interview with the Government Television Network with Joseph explaining that a lot of times he may only come up with part of a melody. Then he would let it rest and come back to it and see if it feels right. Then he would start "building around it", like putting a car together - start with a frame and then start building things around it. Musically, he tries to connect a common bridge between such exhilarating feelings as performing at the Acropolis, to the emotions each and every one feels every day. "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 Minnesota roots. "Wind Farmer" was inspired by childhood visits to a relative's farm near Olivia, and his company, Robbins Island Music, is named after a city park in Willmar.
Joseph employs a variety of instruments to compose including the Korg Triton music workstation, Korg SG-1 piano, and occasionally Korg M1. Rack units have included Roland JD-800, and Roland JV-1080 which he says is "great for string layers". The Alesis D4, Yamaha SY22, and Yamaha TG77 which has "some nice ethereal textures" have been utilized; working also with E-mu Systems Proteus 1, Proteus 2, and the E-5000 sampler because it is "easy to use and has a great library."
Musical style
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."
Hear the Masses and Rapture
The Passage "Strings swell on 'The Passage', engulfing the listener in an ocean of sound".Problems playing this file? See media help.
Joseph's recordings can offer full orchestrations such as in Hear the Masses and Rapture that combine 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."
The Long Last Mile From Solo Journey, this song "...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".Problems playing this file? See media help.
Solo Journey and The Journey Continues
In contrast, 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."
One Deep Breath
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 Dvořák's opera, "Rusalka". 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."
Christmas Around the World and Classic Christmas
Debbage depicts "A Minnesota Snowfall" from Christmas Around the World as taking "a more naked, bare-boned ballad approach." While discussing Classic Christmas, 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.
Suites & Sweets
Joseph has also produced numerous CDs that include cover arrangements for piano and orchestra. The 2009 release of Suites & Sweets features compositions by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, 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."
Paint the Sky
Inside the Stars Bill Binkelman of Wind and Wire describes this song as "an uptempo, joyous lead piano melody accented by bouncy rhythms played on kit drums, thumping bass, and tambourine plus superlative orchestral strings".Problems playing this file? See media help.
After requests from listeners for Joseph to do another CD with original compositions that incorporate lush orchestration along with the piano, similar to Hear The Masses and Rapture, Joseph released Paint the Sky in April 2013. It is self-described as "piano instrumentals with a cinematic feel". John P. Olsen of New Age Music World writes that "Paint The Sky ...is best expressed by the near even number of songs with upbeat melodies and lively rhythms, with the balance centered by a light, casual relaxed atmosphere...with importance given to melodic rhythm and phrasing." In another review of Paint the Sky, Bill Binkelman of Wind and Wire says that "Joseph is one of the very best artists when it comes to crafting piano instrumentals augmented by the spot-on application of an assortment of keyboard embellishments, from standard orchestral accompaniment to more textural/new age elements". Kathy Parsons of MainlyPiano states "The thirteen pieces" ...range from tender to majestic. Several pieces are solo piano and others are orchestrated with keyboards to give a vibrant, cinematic effect."
About this album, Binkelman describes the song "Inside the Stars" as "an uptempo, joyous lead piano melody accented by bouncy rhythms played on kit drums, thumping bass, and tambourine plus superlative orchestral strings". Michael Debagge of MainlyPiano states that "the optimism of this album is felt immediately courtesy of the buoyancy of 'Inside The Stars', filled with Joseph's nifty piano work more in the vein of Bruce Hornsby, then layered in strings and percussion work".
In an in-depth analysis of the composition "In Dreams Awake", Binkelman opines that this song bears a strong contemporary classical influence and that some people might even hear strains of Philip Glass' music. He says there is an exultant feel to the melody, but because Joseph maintains absolute control of nuance and shading the song never descends into overblown melodrama or bombast. As the track progresses, the mood and style shifts into a more identifiable new age motif, with more textural synths, bell tones and bell trees, and a more pronounced sweeping sensation of subdued grandeur. The Glass-like motif returns for the song's finale. Parsons characterizes this same song as "a concept piece that begins with an intense and intriguing theme for cello or viola and strings. Building as it evolves, it never takes a breath until near the end of the theme. From there, the piece becomes dreamy and ambient, "floating effortlessly" on keyboard sounds until the original strings re-enter, increasing to the intensity of the first theme". At the same time, Debbage notes "...the multi-movements found on the challenging 'In Dreams Awake'..." and says that it "...opens with an extended piece of strings that almost appear to be battling against each other, only to move into a beautiful dreamy midsection to once again return to the more chaotic strings, much like our nonsensical dreams."
Binkleman goes on to say that the song "Into the Big Blue" should instantly call Aaron Copland to mind – it has the same BIG orchestral/cinematic sound to it, along with Copland-esque western rhythm and melodic motifs. Similarly, Debbage states that this song brings to mind the musical opening theme of that old western television show The Big Valley.
In reference to the song "Secrets of the Sun", Binkelman describes "lush strings and gorgeous new age synths with the piano melody here brimming with a blend of the ethereal and the romantic with a dash of wistfulness besides". The synth sounds remind him a little of Ray Lynch. Parsons details this as "much calmer and more graceful with a piano melody and keyboard enhancements." Debbage writes that "the remainder of the album is filled with Joseph's uncanny ability to compose elegant and emotive ballads. Back track to 'Secrets Of The Sun' that gently sways in the piano and string arrangements with similar results found on 'The Edge Of My Heart'.
Genres and radio formats
Generally, Joseph's music gets airplay in the adult contemporary, smooth jazz, easy listening, and beautiful music radio formats, and while some is classified in the new age genre, he considers contemporary instrumental to fit his style of playing the best. In discussing Rapture, John Blake of The Atlanta Journal 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." Along the same line, Michael Debbage of Mainly Piano says that Rapture almost single-handedly gave a sense of hope that there was much more that the New Age genre could offer. Cicily 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."
Discography
Studio albums
- 1994 - Hear the Masses
- 1997 - Rapture, Narada
- 1999 - Solo Journey
- 2000 - Christmas Around the World
- 2002 - One Deep Breath
- 2003 - The Journey Continues
- 2005 - For the Love of It
- 2006 - Piano Love Songs
- 2007 - Hymns and Spiritual Songs
- 2008 - Classic Christmas
- 2008 - Music Pets Love Series (2004–2008)
- 2009 - Suites & Sweets
- 2010 - "Rest and Relax" Series: Forest Sounds, Ocean Waves, Thunder, and Nature Sounds with Music
- 2013 - Paint the Sky
Credits
- 1993 - In My Time, Private Music
- 1994 - Live at the Acropolis, Private Music
- 1999 - The Private Years, Private Music
- 2010 - The Essential Yanni, Masterworks
See also
Notes
- ^ Fredericksen, Jane (2009-08-13). "White Bear Lake pianist delivers 'suite' release". St. Croix Valley Press (presspubs.com) (Minnesota). Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
- ^ "The 10th Annual ZMR Music Award Nominees". zonemusicreporter.com. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ^ Parsons, Kathy (May 2013). "Interview with Bradley Joseph, May 2013". mainlypiano.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- ^ Miller, Gary (1995-03-21). "Heeeeeere's Bradley". West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (Minnesota).
- ^ Interview: The Dagger (2008-06-15). "Where Are They Now: Pianist/composer Bradley Joseph took time out to talk with the Dagger about his music (16 CD's), family, and his music on the Weather Channel". (myhomestownsports.com). Archived from the original on 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ "Pianist Bradley Joseph - Bio". bradleyjoseph.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- "Pianist to present a Christmas concert" (fee required). The Daily Telegram (superiortelegram.com) (Superior, Wisconsin, U.S.). 2002. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
- ^ Wheeler, Fred (2002). "Interview with Bradley Joseph". Indie Journal. Archived from the original on 2005-09-08. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- "Park concerts to begin Wednesday" (fee required). The Daily Telegram (superiortelegram.com) (Superior, Wisconsin, U.S.). 2002-08-23. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
- ^ Yanni; Rensin, David (2002). Yanni in Words. Miramax Books. pp. 123, 202. ISBN 978-1-4013-5194-6.
- ^ Bio from: Joseph, Bradley (2000). Solo Journey Intermediate Piano Book. Bradley Joseph Publishing.
- Stories (Narada Artist Collection) (CD liner). Various Artists. Narada. 1998. 72438-46700-2-3.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Bradley Joseph to play for Concerts in the Park". Brainerd Dispatch (brainderddispatch.com) (Brainerd, Minnesota). 1999-07-08. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2007-04-03.
- Bio from: Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1993 - Official concert program. Yanni. 1993.
- Buttars, Lori (1993-06-27). "Yanni's New Age Compositions are at Home..." (fee required). Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.). Retrieved 2008-01-18.
- Buttars, Lori (1991-05-30). "Yanni audience buckles up for 'symphony on speed'" (fee required). Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, Utah. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
- Rapture (CD liner). Bradley Joseph. Narada. 1997. ND-63038.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Bio from: Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1994 - Official concert program. Yanni. 1994.
- Bio from: Dare to Dream - Official concert program. Yanni. 1992.
- "Profile at Reflections". an Unofficial Yanni fan site (serve.com/gregl7/reflect.htm). 2003. Archived from the original on October 23, 2008.
- ^ Polta, Anne (2007-02-08). "Continuing Journey: Bradley Joseph sustains music career with songwriting, recording". West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (Minnesota). Retrieved 2007-02-18.
- Mikelson, Terry (1999-07-15). "Joseph Has Encountered Fame". Brainerd Dispatch (brainderddispatch.com) (Brainerd, (Minnesota). Archived from the original on 2014-01-11. Retrieved 2007-04-03.
- Miller, Gary (1995-03-24). "Joseph, Tonight Show". West Central Tribune (wctrib.com) (Minnesota, U.S.).
- Moore, Ken (1997-04-25). "Rapture — Bradley Joseph (Narada)". Naples Daily News (Naples, Florida, U.S.).
- "ShowGo". (countryroads.net). 2001. Archived from the original on 2006-09-25. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
- Mr. Joseph is referenced in book by: Spellman, Peter (March 2002). Fiest, Jonathan (ed.). The Musician's Internet. Berklee Press. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-634-03586-9. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
- "Airwaves Top 30 — July 1997". New Age Voice, (currently zonemusicreporter.com). 1997-07-25.
- "Rapture at Pachyderm". Billboard Magazine (scanned version and retrieved from an archived page of bradleyjoseph.com). 1997. Archived from the original on May 30, 1997. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ^ Speech: "3rd Annual WPS Arts & Academics Gala". (willmar.k12.mn.us). Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ^ Debbage, Michael. "Review of Christmas Around the World". Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com). Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- New Age Voice, currently "Zone Music Reporter". Archived from the original on 2007-01-07. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- "2002 New Age Voice Top 100 Radio Chart". New Age Reporter (archived page of newagevoice.com). Archived from the original on 2002-06-07. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ^ Quote from: "Fall 2003 Newsletter". (archived page of bradleyjoseph.com). Archived from the original on 2003-12-20. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- Ethnicity World Tour 2003–2004 - Official concert program. Yanni. 2003.
- ^ Debbage, Michael. "Review of The Journey Continues". Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com). Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- Morgan, Mike (12 March 2008). "WBL musician captivates four-legged audience". Press Publications. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- ^ Bradley Joseph interview (Television production). Government Television Network. 2008-09-04. Archived from the original on 2014-06-26. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
- "IRNHA catalog". Isle Royale Natural History Association (irnha.org). Archived from the original on 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ^ "Keyboardist/composer Bradley Joseph's first all original CD in 10 years: PAINT THE SKY" (Press release). PRLog.org. 2013-04-22. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
- "TOYM Award". Minnesota Jaycees (jaycees.willmar.com). 2004-09-11. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ^ Drey, Patricia (15 September 2004). "WBL Composer Named Outstanding Young Minnesotan". Press Publications. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- "Metro People Bradley Joseph" (fee required). St. Paul Pioneer Press. 2004-09-15. Retrieved 2007-04-03.
- "The Weather Channel Strikes the Right Chord by Offering Musical Encore". (midasrecords.com). Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ^ Janus, Cicily; Radinsky, Ned. "The New Face of Jazz: Bradley Joseph". (newfaceofjazz.com). Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- Quote from: Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection) (CD liner). Various Artists. Narada. 1997. ND2-61062.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "New Age Voice review of Rapture". New Age Voice, (currently newagereporter.com). 1997-07-25.
- ^ Parsons, Kathy. "Review of Solo Journey". Solo Piano Publications. Archived from the original on 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ^ Parsons, Kathy. "Review of One Deep Breath". Solo Piano Publications. Archived from the original on 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ^ Binkelman, Bill. "Review of One Deep Breath". Wind and Wire Magazine (windandwire.com). Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- One Deep Breath (CD liner). Bradley Joseph. Robbins Island Music. 2002. ODB-4D.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Review of One Deep Breath". Instrumental Weekly (archived page from instrumentalweekly.com). Archived from the original on 2002-07-06. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- Grzyb, Gerry (2008-12-16). "Dr. Christmas presents roundup of new Christmas CDs". The Northwestern (thenorthwestern.com) (Oshkosh, Wisconsin).
- ^ Binkelman, Bill (24 April 2013). "Review of Paint the Sky". Wind and Wire. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- Olsen, John P. (20 February 2013). "Pre-release Album Review: Paint The Sky by top contemporary instrumental artist Bradley Joseph, composer, soloist and professional career musician with Yanni and Sheena Easton". NewAgeMusicWorld.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ Parsons, Kathy (11 March 2013). "Paint the Sky by Bradley Joseph - Album Review". mainlypiano.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- ^ Debbage, Michael (10 June 2013). "Paint the sky by Bradley Joseph - Album Review". mainlypiano.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- ^ Blake, John (1997-07-19). "Joseph's solo debut has range" (fee required). The Atlanta Journal (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.). Retrieved 2008-01-18.
External links
- Official Website
- Bradley Joseph discography at Discogs
- Bradley Joseph at IMDb
Bradley Joseph | |
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Studio albums |
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Compilation albums | |
Singles |
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- 1965 births
- Living people
- People from Willmar, Minnesota
- American male classical pianists
- 20th-century American keyboardists
- American multi-instrumentalists
- American music arrangers
- American male organists
- American pop pianists
- American performers of Christian music
- Composers for piano
- American easy listening musicians
- American jazz composers
- American male jazz composers
- American light music composers
- Minnesota State University Moorhead alumni
- Music directors
- Narada Productions artists
- New-age pianists
- New-age synthesizer players
- People from Bird Island, Minnesota
- Postmodern composers
- Smooth jazz pianists
- American male classical composers
- American classical composers
- 20th-century American pianists
- Jazz musicians from Minnesota
- Classical musicians from Minnesota
- 21st-century American keyboardists
- 21st-century American classical pianists
- 21st-century American organists
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American male musicians
- American male jazz pianists