Jeff Bradetich, double bass
jeffrey.bradetich@unt.edu / (940)565-4649
Proclaimed by the New York Times as "the master of his instrument," Jeff Bradetich is regarded as one of the leading performers and teachers of the double bass in the US today. Since his New York debut in Carnegie Recital Hall in 1982 he has performed more than 600 concerts on five continents including his London debut in Wigmore Hall in 1986. He has won many major solo competitions, recorded six solo albums of music for double bass and piano and has been featured on radio and television throughout North and South America and Europe including CBS, CNN, BBC and NPR.
He gave his professional concerto debut at the age of 16 and was appointed to the orchestra of the Lyric Opera of Chicago by age 19. Mr. Bradetich began his study of the bass at age 10 in the school orchestra program in Eugene, OR studying with Royce Lewis and Dr. Robert Hladky before studying at Northwestern University with Warren Benfield and Joseph Guastafeste where he earned both Bachelor and Masters degrees. Other major musical influences include performing for ten seasons at the Oregon Bach Festival with Helmuth Rilling, one of the world’s leading Bach authorities, and summer study with Gary Karr and many of the leading double bass pedagogues in the US.
In addition to being an active lecturer and clinician, Mr. Bradetich has transcribed more than 100 solo works. He has produced both intermediate and advanced level instructional videos and a DVD recording of the first Bach cello suite and the BB Wolf by Jon Deak. He has given more than one thousand master classes throughout the world including annual week-long workshops on three continents. He served as Executive Director of the International Society of Bassists from 1982-1990 and editor of its magazine for 6 years.
Jeff Bradetich has taught on the faculties of the University of Michigan and Northwestern University prior to his 1994 appointment as director of the largest double bass program in the world at the University of North Texas. In 2011 UNT honored him with its 1st Creative Impact Award recognizing the faculty member whose work in the literary or creative arts has had the greatest societal impact. His students hold positions in major orchestras on five continents and occupy many important teaching and leadership positions throughout the profession.
Mr. Bradetich has recently established the Bradetich Foundation for the advancement of the double bass. The Foundation hosted the 2010 International Double Bass Solo Competition with the largest prizes in double bass history. Complete information is available at: www.bradetichfoundation.org
His new book – Double Bass: The Ultimate Challenge, on pedagogy and performance on the bass, was released in 2009 and has been called "one of the most important books in the last 50 years.: www.musicforalltohear.com
Related Links
- Bradetich Master Classes - Europe
- Double Bass Workshops
Audio Recordings:
Brahms Hungarian Dance #17 for Violin, Double Bass and Piano
Bloch Meditation Hebraique for Double Bass and Piano
Sibelius Romance for Double Bass and Piano
Brahms Sonatensatz for Double Bass and Piano
Monti Czardas for Double Bass and Piano
Proto Fantasy for Double Bass, Tabla and Orchestra
Viret Double BassTrio
Performers:
Jeff Bradetich, Double Bass
Judi Rockey Bradetich, Piano
Igor Borodin, Violin
Lynn Seaton and Brandon McLean, Double Bass
University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Wayne Bennett, conductor
Video:
Left Hand Technique
Practice Methods
Bach Prelude Suite No. 1
Elgar Concerto 1st mvt.
Henze Serenade
Andres Martin Concerto for Double Bass