Keyboardist Patrick Bradley Reveals How a Life-Threatening Illness Drives Him to "Gratitude"

Although already a deeply devout man, a life-threatening illness became a literal "come to Jesus" moment for Billboard chart-topping contemporary jazz keyboardist Patrick Bradley. The immense sense of gratitude and awe that he feels since overcoming the gravely ill month that saw him hospitalized twice informs the ten songs that he wrote for his sixth album, "Gratitude," which drops September 20 on the Patrick's Song Factory label. Multi-time Grammy nominated producer Darren Rahn produced the collection and co-wrote seven songs with Bradley.

Before stricken by the undiagnosed illness, Bradley had been on a high since his last album, "Exhale," was released in 2021. The title track shot to No. 1 on the Billboard chart. A second single, "Completely Yours," went top 10 and two other singles ("Song of May" and "Reinvention") reached the top 20. That same year, the sickness that the doctors deemed Bradley at "substantial risk for morbidity" sparked a crisis of faith. His liver, pancreas and kidneys were under attack, causing intense and debilitating headaches. Bradley did some soul searching at the height of his illness.

"At that time, I had been a Christian for some 38 years, and yet there was that pinging concern if my heart was fully with the Lord. Was I just living for myself or really living for the Lord? Was I taking the Lord seriously enough or was I just living an easy cheap grace sort of life? Easy believe-ism if you will," shared Bradley.

Feelings of repentance filled Bradley, lighting his path to healing.

"I began to weep uncontrollably. An intense sense of repentance and humbling came over me. At that moment, my headaches stopped, and I began to recover. That moment changed me forever, and I continue to be blown away by my loving, gracious and Holy God. My hope through this music I wrote and recorded for 'Gratitude' is to glorify the Lord and lift up and bless those who hear it," said Bradley who will preview the album with a performance at Spaghettini south of Los Angeles on Sunday (July 28).

Not just transformed spiritually, Bradley exhibits some stylistic changes on "Gratitude." His previous sets were more fusion focused and displayed him primarily playing synth and organ along with some piano. The new project is distinctly more contemporary jazz-based and spotlights Bradley's piano play, a switch underscored by the album's cover art showing Bradley standing next to a piano. Instead of spacy and explorative jazz fusion forays, the ten songs on "Gratitude" feel more present, focused and are brimful of joyous energy.

The album opens with the graceful and poetic "Narrow Path," on which Bradley and Rahn (synths, tenor sax, synth bass and drum programming) are joined by guitarist Allen Hinds. The rhythm section swells to include two-time Grammy-winning bassist Mel Brown, drummer Tarell Martin and percussionist Christian Teele on the groovy, retro "Nothin' Ain't," which features Rahn, a 29-time Billboard No. 1 hitmaker, ripping a fat sax solo mid-tune embellished by Bradley's roof raising organ blasts.

Earlier this year, Bradley offered a glimpse of "Gratitude" when he released "Road Trippin'" as a single.

"The inspiration of the song is really celebrating the freedom and the joys of a road trip. Ever since my wife, Lisa, and I purchased a fifth wheel a couple of years ago, we've been enjoying the outdoors. We're grateful to have the opportunity at this time in our lives when we have both the freedom and the means available to get out there. For us, it's about exploring new destinations and visiting cherished places while enjoying the beauty of God's creation," said Bradley who lives in San Diego County.

The tone and tempo become more reflective on the album's title track and forthcoming second single. Rahn, who like Bradley is a man of faith, delivers an impassioned and compassionate sax sermon on "Gratitude," which will begin collecting playlist adds on September 30.

Bradley revisits his fusion muse on "Transformation," on which he plays his trademark piano, synth and organ combo. Guitarist Randy Jacobs adds slick funk riffs to the reassuring affirmation that is "Abide In Me." "The Calling" has cosmic elements created by Bradley's four-prong keyboard palette (piano, Rhodes, synth and organ) and Dave Beegle's acoustic and electric guitars. Bradley pays homage on the empowering rock fusion anthem "Luminaries."

"As the world grows darker and colder, the need for salt, light and truth grows exponentially. Jesus said His disciples are the salt and light of the world," said Bradley who freely quotes scripture in conversation, especially when citing his creative inspiration.

Beegle features on "There Is No Other," which Bradley recalls was seeded forty years ago when reading the book of Isaiah 43:10.

"From that point on, my life was changed, and I began to follow Christ. I understand now that was a sovereign act of God's grace in my life. I am continually humbled and am still completely blown away by Him," Bradley admitted.

The album closes with "Celebration," a festive contemporary jazz romp spiced with saucy Latin jazz nuances.

Bradley debuted in 2007 with the "Come Rain or Shine" album, which featured six-time Grammy nominated saxophonist Eric Marienthal. The title track became the keyboardist's first Billboard top 30 single. Four years later, Bradley returned with "Under The Sun," which was produced by Grammy-winning fusion pioneer Jeff Lorber and included Marienthal's shining sax and a highlight performance from trumpet and flugelhorn star Rick Braun. Lorber returned to helm "Can You Hear Me" in 2014, an outing that saw Bradley's impressive list of collaborators add Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets, Steely Dan), Gary Novak (Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour), David Mann (Sting, James Taylor, Billy Joel) and Michael Thompson (Bob James, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion). Multiple Grammy nominated headliner Dave Koz played an emotional soprano sax solo on the title cut, which is nearing in on ten million streams. Haslip, Novak, Mann and Thompson linked up with Bradley and Lorber again on 2017's "Intangible." The album notched two Billboard top 10 singles: "Dear Friend" and "Tailwind" featuring guitar ace Paul Jackson Jr. (Michael Jackson, Daft Punk).

The "Gratitude" album contains the following songs:

"Narrow Path"
"Nothin' Ain't" featuring Darren Rahn
"Road Trippin'"
"Gratitude" featuring Darren Rahn
"Transformation"
"Abide In Me"
"The Calling"
"Luminaries"
"There Is No Other" featuring Dave Beegle
"Celebration"

For more information, visit https://patrickbradley.com.

 

 

Tags : Patrick Bradley Patrick Bradley keyboardist Patrick Bradley Gratitude