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 450 concerts on four continents including his London debut in Wigmore Hall in 1986. He has won many major solo competitions and has been featured on radio and television throughout North and South America and Europe including CBS, CNN, BBC, CBC 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. As a young student growing up in Eugene, Oregon, Mr. Bradetich studied with Robert Hladky, cello professor at the University of Oregon. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Northwestern University where he studied with Chicago Symphony bassists Warren Benfield and Joseph Guastafeste. 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.
Jeff Bradetich tours internationally as a performer and teacher. He has been an active lecturer and clinician and has transcribed more than 100 solo works for the double bass. His instructional DVD has become a staple in the teaching field and he has recently released a DVD recording of the first Bach cello suite and BB Wolf by Jon Deak. He serves as a judge for major competitions in Germany, England and North and South America. His book on Pedagogy and Performance on the Double Bass will be released in the near future. He has recorded six solo albums for double bass and piano including two firsts for the double bass: a Christmas album and a Children’s recording. His newest CD is Double Bass Portraits on Klavier Records.
As Executive Director of the International Society of Bassists from 1982-1990 he established the ISB International Conventions, ISB Solo Competitions, ISB Endowment Fund and ISB Magazine. He also served as editor of the magazine for 6 years. He taught on the faculties of the Interlochen Arts Academy (1980-1983), University of Michigan (1980-1983), and Northwestern University (1983-1994) prior to his 1994 appointment as director of the largest double bass program in the world at the University of North Texas. He is also visiting professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music. His students hold positions in major orchestras on five continents and hold many important teaching and leadership positions throughout the profession.