Born in Austin, Texas and raised in Altadena, California, Carmen Bradford grew up with music in her
home and in her heart. It was only natural that Carmen would follow in the footsteps of her great family
legacy being the daughter of legendary trumpeter/ composer Bobby Bradford and world renowned
vocalist/composer Melba Joyce. Her grandfather Melvin Moore sang with Lucky Millender’s Big Band
in the 1940’s making Carmen the third generation of incredible musicians. She has carved out a place in
music history for herself and is playing an integral role in this uniquely American art form called jazz.
Carmen was discovered and hired by Mr. Count Basie and was the featured vocalist in the legendary
Count Basie Orchestra for nine years. She has since performed and/or recorded with: Wynton Marsalis,
Shelly Berg, John Clayton along with the Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, Nancy Wilson, Doc Severinsen,
Tony Bennett, James Brown, Patti Austin, Byron Stripling, Dori Caymmi, George Benson, Lena Horne,
Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, DIVA Jazz Orchestra, the National Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic,
the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and countless artists around the world. Carmen performed on two
Grammy Award winning albums with the Basie band in the 1980’s and later collaborated on a third
Grammy Award winning album, “Big Boss Band,” with guitarist George Benson in 1991. Her soulful
voice warmed the hearts of Americans through the celebrated performance of the classic duet, “How Do
You Keep The Music Playing?” on the Johnny Carson Show that same year.
Carmen began another chapter in her illustrious career as a solo artist with her critically acclaimed debut
album “Finally Yours” (Evidence Records) in 1992. The 1995 release of her second solo album, “With
Respect,” (Evidence Records) established the Atlanta-based singer as one of jazz music’s most diverse
and exciting vocal stylists proving to the world that Carmen Bradford was a unique voice in jazz in her
own right.
Carmen teamed with singer/composer Kenny Rankin for the Benny Carter Songbook Project making
history once again. As Carmen looked around the room she exclaimed “What an honor!” upon seeing
many faces of music history involved in the making of this special album. Some notable attendees were
Joe Williams, Ruth Brown, Bobby Short, Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn, Jon Hendricks, Diana Krall, Dianne
Reeves, among others. Carmen was chosen to sing “Key Largo” for this Grammy Award-winning
album. Her performance on “The Benny Carter Songbook” marked Carmen’s fourth studio collaboration
reaffirming her stardom.
On occasion, Carmen has loaned her talented voice to stage productions and the music of Hollywood
films. She sang on the haunting soundtrack for Oprah Winfrey’s “Beloved,” and recently starred in the
title role of Duke Ellington’s Folk Opera “Queenie Pie” at the University of Texas, Butler School of
Music.
Carmen’s 2004 release, “Home With You,” (Azica Records) is a warm and beautiful collection of piano/
vocal duets with talented artist Shelly Berg. The album is yet another departure for Carmen, offering her
fans a stripped down, intimate portrait of the artist they have grown to love. Carmen Bradford returned to
her big band roots with her new release, “Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra,” featured on Live
From Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club.
At present, Carmen Bradford is doing it all whether it’s a duo concert with Shelly Berg, Big Band with
the ladies of DIVA, or her new favorite performing with Symphony Orchestras around the world. Carmen
Bradford’s body of work reflects a vast depth of musical experience and technical brilliance. She is
also recognized for the overwhelming passion she brings to the lyric. She has truly contributed to the
perpetuation and preservation of this Great American art form called jazz, and continues to do so…