Bio

Jazz Drumming/Sessions/Tuition

Native to Wellington, Reuben Bradley has travelled the world extensively. Drumming with international jazz performers has developed his creativity and passion for new music, whilst international cruise ship work has empowered him with the versatility of a top-notch session musician. These two skills have enabled Reuben to become one of the first call Jazz & Session musicians throughout New Zealand.

Wearing his jazz-hat, Reuben has performed with artists such as: Mike Nock (Aus), Bernie McGann (Aus), Kristin Berardi (Aus), Brenda Earle (Canada), Roger Fox, Roger Manins, Charmaine Ford, Jonathan Crayford and Dixon Nacey. His session styles have in turn led to work with: Mickey Dolenz (the Monkees) The Coasters, The Drifters, NZSO, CSO, Wellington Vector Orchestra, Sarah Brown and Sacha Vee.

Formal education at Massey University (NZSM) culminated in his B.Mus (Jazz Performance 1999) led in turn to further individual study with rhythmic masters Scott Tinkler (Aus) and Master Jazz Drummer Barry Altschul in NYC. Although being awarded the greatly coveted position on the City College Masters course (NYC), Reuben decided in turn to focus on developing his performance abilities and compositional creativity.

Having performed in every major Jazz Festival in New Zealand including; The Nelson Jazz Festival with The Velox Brothers, Otis, and the Nat King Cole Project, Wellington International Jazz Festival with Roger Manins and Tauranga Jazz Festival with Charmaine Ford, Reuben has also performed at major Australian festivals such as Wangaratta & the Women in Jazz Festival.

Jazz Albums

• Reuben Bradley: Resonator 2010 (Rattle Records NZ) TUI AWARD BEST JAZZ NZ JAZZ ALBUM 2010/2011

• Roger Manins: Trio 2010 (Rattle Records NZ)

• It’s a Wrap 2: OTIS (Salvation Army NZ)

• Tessa Quayle: Whisper Not 2010 (runner up Jazz Album of the Year 2010)

• The Velox Brothers: The Dogsville Swing Sessions 2008 (Moo Music)

• Charmaine Ford: Busy Silence 2007 (Ford Motion Records NZ) TUI AWARD JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2007

• Vibrant Tongues: The Shadow Out of Time 2007 (ODE NZ)

• Kevin Clark: Zahara (KCM) 2007 (Runner up Jazz Album of the Year 2007)

• Unforgettable: A Tribute to Nat King Cole 2008

• Norman Meehan: Modigliani 2007 (ODE NZ)

• Johnny Lippiett (UK): Live at the Lido 2002

• Vaughn Roberts Big Band: Live at the Jazz Club 2004

• David Paquette/Wil Sargisson: The Waiheke Sessions 2001 (Finger Breaker Music)