Bradley Leighton brings a unique and powerful sound to the flute. His style of swing evolved from listening to the hi-octane big bands of Kenton, Herman, and Ferguson. His funkiness comes from the R&B acts of the 70’s including Tower of Power; Earth, Wind & Fire; the Brecker Brothers; and countless other pop acts. His playing exhibits a fire and flair not usually heard nor expected from a flutist. Bradley has performed across the U.S. and Asia, as both sideman and bandleader, for over 45 years and has recorded six well-received CDs. His training included a stint with the US Army band system and classical studies with Felix Skowonek at the University of Washington.
In addition to recording and performing, Bradley has continued to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for music as a clinician and teacher. As a Yamaha Performing Artist, he leads workshops for musicians of all skill levels, including, “Jazz Improvisation for the Classically Trained Flutist” and “Music for Life – Improvisation for the Adult Amateur Musician.” He currently lives on the Big Island, Hawaii where he continues to perform and teach and is recording a new project to be released in 2026.
Whether onstage, in the studio or in the classroom – Bradley is one of the most entertaining, versatile and knowledgeable flutists of his generation.