Album Notes

"Bradley Leighton's Just Doin' Our Thang is reminiscent in ways of Herbie Mann's recordings of the 1960s. Leighton turns a variety of pop and R&B-oriented tunes into soul-jazz, playing a wide repertoire... ...the music is pleasing and is easily recommended to fans of the funkier side of jazz." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

"Just Doin' Our Thang is reminiscent of the late- night club groove you hear on the after-hour underground club scene when many of the musicians play their most happening sets! ...very entertaining mainly because of the fresh arrangements and the good feelings that exude from Leighton's alto axe."
~Paula Edelstein, soundsoftimelessjazz.com

Europa, the smooth jazz radio staple written by Carlos Santana and Tom Coster and also performed by saxophonist Gato Barbieri, gets a new twist from Bradley Leighton. Leighton performs the song on the alto flute... ...It's dreamy." ~SmoothJazzVibes.com

Classically trained, Bradley Leighton's musical interests have always been diverse. As a young man, he loved big band music, particularly Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Yet he also found himself drawn to the R&B sounds of Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, and, the Brecker Brothers.

Although his first fascination was the player piano, he soon started playing the flute, becoming very involved in school bands. After considerable listening, and practicing, Bradley's interest in Jazz and blues led him to hanging out at after-hours clubs in his native Seattle, where he first surprised, and pleased, such local legends as T McGee, Terry Camon, Leri Carter, Billy Haddon, and Mel Washington.

Having mentors both assist and encourage Bradley, and a true love of performing, served as the catalysts for his decision to pursue a career in music. Immediately after high school, he seized an opportunity by enlisting and playing in the Army's 9th Infantry Division band at Ft. Lewis, Washington. When his talent quickly became obvious, he was appointed musical director of the jazz ensemble. A tour with the 8th Army band in Seoul, Korea soon followed. Bradley remained in Seoul after his discharge several years later to teach, and perform in the country's only Jazz bar.

But after realizing that the only place to really utilize his musical expertise was the land of his birth, Bradley returned to Seattle for more professional opportunities. By now, an accomplished musician and teacher, he spent the next fifteen years playing in rhythm and blues bands, Hammond organ trios, funk dance bands and straight-ahead jazz groups. He also taught privately, working with encouraging young musicians, just as his Seattle mentors had done for him.

For more on Bradley, see www.fluteguy.com - there's video and LOTS of information!