Bobby Lee Bradford (born July 19, 1934 in Cleveland, Mississippi) is an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, bandleader, and composer. He is noted for his work with Ornette Coleman.

Bobby Bradford (an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, bandleader, and composer) was born July 19, 1934 in Cleveland, Mississippi. In 1946 he moved with his family to Dallas Texas. There he met Ornette Coleman, whose ensemble he joined in Los Angeles in 1953. While he continued to play with Coleman’s ensemble and quartet off and on for the next 10 years, he left the group, discouraged about the lack of exposure and limited performances.

After returning to school to earn a BM, he decided to get back into the music scene, playing with artists such as Eric Dolphy, Charlie Haden, Vinny Golia and David Murray. He also continued his pursuit of love for music by joining up with clarinetist John Carter. This lasting relationship, which brought him much more exposure and experience performing, carried him for about 20. Upon Carter’s death in 1991, he fronted his own ensemble (The Mo’tet), who he still plays with to this day.

Bradford is an established and well-respected musician and composer. Currently he is also an instructor in California at both Pasadena City College and Pomona College.

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