New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 6 | Page 93

Music fans throughout the world apparently agree as Postmod- ern Jukebox not only performs to packed houses in major ven- ues and music festivals, but has had several albums chart on Bill- board’s list of Top Jazz Albums. After returning from a European tour, Postmodern Jukebox will co-headline a series of dates with Straight No Chaser, including Friday, July 21st at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and Tuesday, July 25 at BB&T Pavilion in Camden. Born and raised just outside Clinton, New Jersey in Hunter- don County, Bradlee grew up with a love of musical genres that weren’t found on the radio. His parents (who dabbled as musicians themselves; mother played violin and father played trumpet) installed a love of music in him from an early age by play- ing him records. They also got him started with piano lessons, although Bradlee says it wasn’t love at first sight. “For whatever reason, I had tak- en piano lessons but didn’t quite take to it,” said Bradlee. “And then I heard this piece called ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ by George Gershwin. It just inspired me. It was a total lightbulb moment. I heard it and said, ‘This is the kind of stuff I want to play.’” As luck would have it, Bradlee’s career came around in the era of YouTube and the two became a perfect combination. In 2009, when Bradlee released his first video, he was still a struggling jazz musician. The video went vi- ral and gave him the confidence And then I heard this piece called ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ by George Gershwin. It just inspired me. It was a total lightbulb moment. NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 6 INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 93