Geof Bradfield

Quotes from various sources

"In the last few years, Bradfield has quietly established himself among Chicago’s truly elite saxists, performing with a wide range of bands in Chicago... his fresh melodicism takes dramatic flights without sacrificing finely-wrought details. " (Neil Tesser).


“Rule of Three is one of the more auspicious post-bop debuts to come down the boards in some time…Bradfield is not only confident, but in full possession of his gifts. Highly recommended. (****)” (All Music Guide)

“…muscular, inventive, gloriously free-ranging lines. Harmonically, there was simply no predicting where Bradfield would stray next; rhythmically, he sounded utterly liberated from backbeat and meter.” (Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune).

“Bradfield’s blowing mixes grits’n’gravy with erudition. Most notable is a rhythmic drive, sense of logic and tenor timbre reminiscent of Sonny Rollins.” (Michael Jackson, Downbeat)

“A quietly exhilarating album, and one of the more significant debut recordings of 2003.” (Nate Dorward, Cadence Magazine)

“Perhaps the best record from 2003 that you never heard.” (allaboutjazz.com)

“Rule of Three named one of the best albums of 2003 (Chicago Reader)

“…Rule of Three has a placid, grooving feeling within fairly disciplined mainstream parameters. It’s a nice sound, and one I don’t hear often on records by young jazz groups…” (Ben Ratliff, New York Times)

“…saxophonist Geof Bradfield imbues the various themes with subtle and affecting harmonic variations, unleashing loads of lyrical solos, ranging from the tender to the enraged.” (Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader).

“Bradfield reminds me of a young Sonny Rollins. This is a man who trusts in the power of his tone and his melodic invention to carry the song into our souls. And what a tone- like something between Rollins and Shorter. The overall effect is enough to make you wish King Pleasure was around to take one of Bradfield's solos and write words to it.”(Amazon.com)

“Bradfield is steeped in the tenor tradition of Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons, and Sonny Rollins. …he also addresses the Sun Ra sideman on the tribute track “John Gilmore” and soprano legend Steve Lacy with “Koan.” There’s a bit of Charlie Rouse, some Ben Webster, and well, we could go at this endlessly. Needless to say, Bradfield has the canon down.(allaboutjazz.com)

“If you want a cracking mainstream tenor/bass/drums jazz album, don't look to the major record labels: this is the real deal. Everything from Ellington's "Day Dream" to Andrew Hill's "Reconciliation" and a pile of pin-sharp originals.” (Stride Magazine).

“…a wonderful sense of intuition, and an expansive outlook that incorporates the best of contemporary postmodern phrasing over a solid rhythmic base that snaps with a great sense of swing and some nice dynamics.”(Dusty Groove)

“His tone is fat and buttery, his technique is flawless and his solos are spectacular.” (The Jazz Review).

“Bradfield pours soulful tenor all over the proceedings…”(All About Jazz).

“Spirited and soulful tenor work…Bradfield also proves that he is a gifted composer, with several superb compositions…”(One Final Note, Jay Collins).

“With casual aplomb, he combines a woody sound with harmonic sophistication and rhythmic flexibility, making standard jazz practices sound new and fresh again.”(AllAboutJazz).