Jesse Bradley was born into a musical family wherein both parents and brother played the piano.  He started piano at age nine and then guitar at age eleven.  He taught himself the basics and then got more serious
at age 15 when he got interested in jazz.  He studied with Ted Simonelli, Bob Sullivan and Tom Green over the next few years before college.  Early influences were Johnny Smith, Barney Kessel and Don Allessi
(a local Boston player)

Jesse went off to college in upstate New York where
he began gigging regularly including even solo gigs.  This is also when he began listening a lot to most
of the great jazz musicians.

In '65 he transferred to Berklee School of music in Boston.  This is when he really started to learn music thoroughly.  He studied somewhat with Bill Leavitt
and Mick Goodrick.  I say, "somewhat" because both teachers said there wasn't much they could teach him.  They would usually wind up jamming or reading a new tune.  He played gigs fairly regularly--clubs, casuals and sessions.  For a year he worked in Charlie Mariano's new fusion/jazz/rock band.  He left Berklee after three years but continued to study, practice
and play gigs.  

In '69 he went on the road with a pop/show band
and then moved to New York City for awhile. 
Then he moved to California winding up in the
Bay Area for nine years.  During this time he
was very active playing gigs and teaching.

He had the good fortune to perform with the
great trumpet player Tom Harrell who even then
at age 19 was awesome.  He was also in a Fusion band, "Noema."

Things changed significantly when he got deep into spiritual pursuits and then got married.  Long story short, they moved to Los Angeles in '78.  He got a day gig and then raised a family, essentially not playing the guitar professionally for 25 years!  After separating from his wife he resumed music and got back into serious professional playing.  This included five years with vocalist Cynthia Spear.  Since then Jesse has played almost exclusively in the trio context.  This was always his dream after hearing Bill Evans
in '65.

Today his passion for jazz is greater than ever as he continues to develop his art and craft.  Other than sessions, recent appearances include South Beverly Grill, The Oyster House, Artisan Cheese Gallery, Colombo's and Edwin Mills.

Recent appearances include: Artisan Cheese Gallery,

Colombo's, Oyster House , South Beverly Grill

Industry Cafe, Edwin Mills