Jeff Bradetich

Regents Professor of Double Bass

Department(s)

Double Bass, Strings, Instrumental Studies

Contact Information

Office Location: 
Music Building
Office #: 
222

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 United States today. Since his New York debut in Carnegie Recital Hall in 1982 he has performed more than 600 concerts on five continents including his London debut in Wigmore Hall in 1986. He has won many major solo competitions, recorded six solo albums of music for double bass and piano and has been featured on radio and television throughout North and South America and Europe including CBS, CNN, BBC 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. Mr. Bradetich began his study of the bass at age 10 in the school orchestra program in Eugene, OR studying with Royce Lewis and Dr. Robert Hladky before studying at Northwestern University with Warren Benfield and Joseph Guastafeste where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. 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 United States.

In addition to being an active lecturer and clinician, Mr. Bradetich has transcribed more than 100 solo works. He has produced both intermediate and advanced level instructional videos and a DVD recording of the first Bach cello suite and BB Wolf by Jon Deak. He has given more than one thousand master classes throughout the world including annual week-long workshops on three continents. He served as Executive Director of the International Society of Bassists from 1982-1990 and editor of its magazine for 6 years.

Jeff Bradetich has taught on the faculties of the University of Michigan and Northwestern University prior to his 1994 appointment as director of the largest double bass program in the world at the University of North Texas. His students hold positions in major orchestras on five continents and occupy many important teaching and leadership positions throughout the profession.

Mr. Bradetich has recently established the Bradetich Foundation for the advancement of the double bass. The Foundation hosted the 2010 International Double Bass Solo Competition with the largest prizes in double bass history. Complete information is available at: www.bradetichfoundation.org

His new book Double Bass: The Ultimate Challenge on pedagogy and performance on the bass, was released in June 2009 by Music For All To Hear, Inc. www.musicforalltohear.com

Related Links

- Bradetich Master Classes - Europe
- Double Bass Workshops
- "No Time Like the Present" - Originally published in The Strad, March 2006
- "Learning Together" - Originally published in Double Bassist