Will Bradley

Trombone Player

Birthday July 12, 1912

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace New Jersey

DEATH DATE Jul 15, 1989 (77)

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About

Remembered for heading a boogie woogie group known as The Bradley Band, this trombone player and bandleader recorded the hit 1940 track "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar." Bradley is also notable for his later work with Glenn Miller's United States Air Force Band and with the studio band for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Before Fame

Before forming The Bradley Band in the late 1930s with jazz drummer Ray McKinley, Bradley performed as a trombonist on The CBS Saturday Night Swing Club.

Trivia

In the early 1940s, he served as the bandleader for CBS's Summer Silver Theater program, hosted by Ed Sullivan.

Family Life

Born Wilbur Schwictenberg, he spent his youth in Newton, New Jersey, and later lived and worked in New York City.

Associated With

He performed numerous songs written by Don Raye.