Geof Bradfield Solo at Corbett vs. Dempsey

Saturday, May 20, 2:00 pm

Corbett vs. Dempsey is pleased to present multi-instrumentalist Geof Bradfield in a rare solo set on tenor saxophone, bass clarinet and mbira dzavadzimu, interweaving themes by Bela Bartok and Thelonious Monk with traditional Shona music. Based in Chicago, Geof Bradfield’s work as a composer and performer on saxophones and clarinets embraces intersections of modern jazz and other streams of diasporic African music, drawing inspiration from Charlie Parker, Melba Liston, Lead Belly, Shona mbira music, and Gullah spirituals. Born in Houston, TX, Bradfield has played around the globe, sharing the stage with artists such as Randy Weston, Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Brian Blade, Anna Webber, Orrin Evans, Jeff Parker, Matt Ulery, and Ryan Cohan. His work is featured on 50+ CDs including eight albums as a leader that have garnered critical accolades from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and NPR. Nate Chinen describes his Yes, and…Music for Nine Improvisers (Delmark Records) as “an album of chamber-esque color and oft-surprising texture, because Bradfield is the sort of composer who creates room for departure.” He has received grants and awards from Chamber Music America, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, DCASE, Illinois Arts Council, and the Mellon Foundation. The Downbeat Critics Poll named Bradfield a Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist and Arranger multiple years. He is a Professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University. Come hear the great composer and multi-reed specialist stretch out by himself in the ultimate challenge of unaccompanied improvisations.

This event is free and open to the public.