Meet Brad Goode | Jazz Performer and Music Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brad Goode and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brad, why did you pursue a creative career?
It chose me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a multi-instrumentalist. I play the trumpet, bass and drums, but most people know me as a trumpeter. I am a native of Chicago, where that city’s musical values profoundly influenced my tastes. Since the age of 15, I have been playing jazz professionally, learning through the time-honored apprenticeship model. Along the way, I also made a living as a freelance musician, playing pop music, salsa, classical, klezmer, musical theatre, r&b, blues and other styles. I started teaching jazz at the college level in 1988, and am now in my 21st year as a professor at the University of Colorado.

Because my improvisational style is unique and non-conventional, the path to public success as a performer has been a bit bumpy. I developed as an artist at a time when Jazz was looking backward to older models in an attempt to preserve the music. At the same time, I was moving forward and experimenting with my art, in the best tradition of my jazz heroes. I received a tremendous amount of critical acclaim when I was in my early 20s, but then spent many years developing my work outside of the national spotlight. Now at age 60, having just released my 25th album, I am very grateful to have the music community recognize my contributions as a performer and teacher, and I an so proud of the work my students are doing to move the music forward.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dinner at Bastiens, and an evening at Dazzle Jazz Club in the DCPA. Perhaps afterward, we’d go to a jam session at Herb’s Bar of the Muse Performance Space in Lafayette.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was inspired and mentored in my journey by many older musicians who took the time to care. In particular, I remember Sherman Mitchell, Vincent DiMartino, Jodie Christian, Von Freeman and Ira Sullivan.

Website: www.bradgoode.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradgoodelive/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.goode.3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-7-9cMK5VlAOutQu3SpzCQ

Image Credits
First photo ;Jack Sasson Second photo: Jim Bohm