From the time she was a young child, Cindy Bradley always had an interest in music. “My father was a self-taught organist,” says Cindy, “and I learned to read music by watching him play. In the fourth grade, we were allowed to join the band, but I was reluctant to sign up. Eventually, I gave in and had to pick an instrument. The trumpet was the first thing to come to mind.”
Growing up near Buffalo, New York, Cindy’s dad took her to see a kids’ jazz band called Sugar and Jazz. “My dad wanted me to sign up. I didn’t think I was good enough, but they accepted everyone who wanted to play. Once I joined them, I really started to love jazz music.”
Cindy went on to play in various jazz bands throughout high school and college and had a special affinity for “bebop jazz.” She was influenced by such icons as Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and Freddie Hubbard.
Majoring in Jazz Studies and Music Education at Ithaca College with a Master’s in Jazz Performance/Trumpet at Boston’s New England Conservatory, she also attained a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University.
She came to Franklin Lakes in 2005 to begin teaching instrumental music to 4th and 5th graders at Woodside Avenue, High Mountain Road, and Colonial Road schools. Under her direction, the program grew from 9 students to 225 throughout the three schools. In 2009, she was signed to the Trippin’ N’ Rhythm record label and has since had eight #1 Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles which she wrote and recorded. Her most recent hit, “Wind Chill Factor," from her CD “The Little Things” recently spent four weeks at #1. Among a long list of performances, awards and recognitions, Cindy was also a Grammy Music Educator Award quarterfinalist in 2014.
Do her students know that their teacher performs internationally as a world-class trumpeter? “Not really,” laughs Cindy. “Some of the kids and parents are aware of it, but many are not.”
Recently Cindy’s husband, David, bought tickets to a performance in New York City by Arturo Sandoval, a renowned Cuban jazz trumpet player. She posted on social media about how excited she was to see him at the Blue Note. Sandoval saw Cindy’s post prior to the show, and as she tells it, “he told me to bring my trumpet and jam with him! It was a blast!”
Cindy has an endorsement with Taylor Trumpets, a prominent manufacturer in the U.K. Her performance trumpet has a raised pink bell, shaped like a heart. “It’s a girl-power thing,” says Cindy.
Aside from her performance career, Cindy focuses on teaching foundational music skills. “I love teaching the younger kids because it’s the first time they get to play, and I enjoy giving them their start in music. If they do everything right foundationally, they will play well into the future.”
Cindy lives in Stockholm, New Jersey with her husband and five dogs. She is an avid animal advocate and keeps active in a variety of animal rescue causes, and has volunteered at Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge (RBARI) in Oakland. “I feel fortunate to be in Franklin Lakes because the arts are supported there. Many schools are now cutting music and the arts, which is a disservice to the students. Music is the best part of the day for many kids.”
Cindybradley.com