Combining a profound sense of the past with a distinctive flair for the present, and offering exciting innovations for the future, pianist Bradley Young takes the standard definition of “virtuoso” to unique and promising new places on the musical horizon. Drawing upon a remarkably diverse series of historical and modern piano influences, Bradley has established himself as a dynamic player, composer and band leader in every genre from blues, soul, and boogie woogie to traditional and contemporary jazz, which is Bradley’s first love. In fact, it is his passion for contemporary jazz that has inspired him to create Midnight Rhapsody, his newest CD release on Omnibus Records.

As a pianist, the Chicago native’s eclectic and soulful performing and composing style is unique in that it is reflective of nearly the entire history of jazz piano. His own musical evolution was inspired over the years by everyone from stride and boogie woogie players like James P. Johnson, Willie “The Lion” Smith and Meade “Lux” Lewis, to swing and bop giants such as Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson, and Herbie Hancock, to contemporary jazz masters like Alex Bugnon, Brian Culbertson, and Joe McBride.

Bradley began classical piano lessons at age five, and by seven he was performing recitals with his own improvisational compositions. In his early teens, while studying privately at Northwestern University and the Evanston Conservatory of Music, a family friend, who was also a jazz pianist, gave Bradley his entire collection of blues and boogie woogie 78s, and Bradley became enamored with those genres. As he was performing his first professional gigs at Chicago blues hotspots with local legends like Freddie Below and Big Time Sarah, Bradley was also studying with famed Chicago blues pianist and recording artist Erwin Helfer.

He attended Columbia College locally, then Indiana State for a year before transferring to the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston for three years. At Berklee, while still boogie woogying by night, Bradley studied composition, harmony, counterpoint, arranging and music theory. Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago and built a late night reputation at top Chicago jazz clubs like Andy’s, Pop’s for Champagne, the Green Mill and the Gold Star Sardine Bar. Bradley has played with some musical greats… artists such as Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Buddy Childers, Sal Marquez, Tony Dumas, Dave Carpenter, Peter Erskine and Jeff “Tain” Watts.

In a recent interview, Bradley has this to say: “The Midnight Rhapsody album is the most exciting project I’ve ever worked on. Stylistically, it encompasses many different influences, from straight ahead jazz to smooth jazz to contemporary R & B. This CD is all about letting the artist within me emerge…I hope my music touches peoples’ lives, and I believe music has an extraordinary ability to do just that.”

With an exciting and distinguished résumé behind him and considering all that lies ahead, Young is certain to add to the musical traditions he so embraces as he emerges onto the national and international jazz scene.