James Bradley Jr. (drummer)
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James Bradley Jr. | |
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| Born | 1958 United States |
| Genres | Jazz, R&B, funk, rock, hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer, session musician |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
James Bradley Jr. (born 1958) is an American drummer whose career spans jazz, R&B, funk, rock, and hip hop. He first gained national attention in the late 1970s as a member of Chuck Mangione’s touring and recording band, performing on several of Mangione’s most commercially successful albums and appearing on major television broadcasts, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and the 1978 Grammy Awards. Bradley has since worked extensively as a touring and recording musician, serving as drummer for Anita Baker during her 1986–87 The Rapture Tour, and holding band memberships with Mary's Danish, the Beastie Boys, and Crazy Town.
Bradley has been the subject of coverage in music publications including Modern Drummer, Rolling Stone, and Loudwire, documenting his technical approach, genre versatility, and contributions to both live performance and studio recording. He has also appeared as a session musician on recordings by artists such as Neil Diamond and jazz guitarist Earl Klugh.
Early life and musical education
Bradley grew up in a musical family and was recognized at an early age for his aptitude in rhythm. According to a 1981 Modern Drummer interview, by age three he was performing on household objects, and by age four he had assembled a full drum kit and was studying with instructor Bill Douglas. His mother, a pianist, taught him jazz standards such as Caravan, How High the Moon, and Take The A-Train, while his father, a vocalist and drummer, emphasized fundamental technique.
As a child, Bradley appeared on major television programs in the 1960s, including The Jack Benny Program, I’ve Got a Secret, Steve Allen, Art Linkletter, Hollywood Palace, and performances alongside Nat King Cole.
Bradley also acted for a brief period; at age nine, he appeared in the film Cool Hand Luke (1967) alongside Paul Newman and George Kennedy, after receiving a contract from Paramount Pictures following his early TV appearances.
While attending El Camino Junior College, Bradley performed in local bands including Manufactured Funk, opening for acts such as B.B. King and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, gaining experience that led into his early professional touring engagements.
Early career and touring
Following his early television appearances and local performances, Bradley joined Deniece Williams in 1976 to support her first Columbia Records album, gaining his first national touring experience as a professional musician.
Work with Chuck Mangione
Bradley joined Chuck Mangione’s touring and recording band in 1977 after being recommended by bassist Charles Meeks. He remained with the group for approximately four years. During this period, the band also included Charles Meeks on bass, guitarist Grant Geissman, and reeds player Chris Vadala.
Mangione’s band maintained an extensive touring schedule, performing for roughly nine months each year across North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia, frequently with multiple shows per day lasting up to two hours.
During this period, Bradley performed on several albums, including Feels So Good (1977), Children of Sanchez (1978), Fun and Games (1979), and An Evening of Magic, Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1979), contributing both as a studio musician and live performer while balancing ensemble support with featured drum passages.
One of Mangione’s most significant commercial successes during this period was the single Feels So Good, on which Bradley played drums. Released in 1977, the track became Mangione’s breakthrough hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June 1978 and reaching number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary (Easy Listening) chart. The crossover success of “Feels So Good” brought Mangione widespread mainstream recognition and contributed to Bradley’s first sustained national exposure as a touring and recording drummer.
The band made multiple televised appearances, including performances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and the 1978 Grammy Awards broadcast. Bradley performed extended drum solos on “The XIth Commandment” and percussion-focused sections of Children of Sanchez.
During Bradley’s tenure with Mangione, he performed on recordings and live performances that were part of several high-profile recognitions for the bandleader. Mangione won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1979 for the Children of Sanchez soundtrack, received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score for the same work, and performed Give It All You Got, the theme featured in the Emmy-winning broadcast of the 1980 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Lake Placid. Bradley is credited on the Children of Sanchez album and participated in the performances directly associated with these works.
Bradley’s work with Mangione led to recognition within the percussion community, including sponsorships from drum and percussion manufacturers. He emphasized time feel, interaction with other musicians, and adapting his playing to studio and live performance settings.
Band membership and touring
Following his tenure with Mangione, Bradley served as the drummer for Anita Baker during her 1986–87 Rapture tour. He performed across the tour’s full itinerary, accompanying Baker in live performances throughout North America and Europe and appearing on recordings later released as Rapture Live (1987).
Bradley later became a member of Mary's Danish, touring with the band and contributing to studio recordings.
In the early 1990s, he joined the Beastie Boys as a touring and recording drummer, appearing on Check Your Head (1992).
In the late 1990s, Bradley became a member of Crazy Town and performed on their debut album The Gift of Game (1999). Coverage by Rolling Stone referred to him by the nickname “JBJ,” while Loudwire identified him as the drummer on the album and noted his musical background as distinct from the band’s primary style.
Session work
Bradley has worked as a session musician for recording artists across multiple genres, including pop, R&B, and jazz. Notable sessions include performances on recordings by Neil Diamond and jazz guitarist Earl Klugh.
Playing style and influences
Bradley cites jazz drummers including Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Louis Bellson, and Buddy Rich as influences. He is noted for versatility across jazz, R&B, funk, rock, and hip hop, blending live performance feel with studio precision.
Legacy and reputation
Coverage in Modern Drummer, Rolling Stone, and Loudwire discusses Bradley’s work as a touring and recording drummer across multiple genres, highlighting his participation in high-profile bands and recordings.
Selected discography
- Chuck Mangione – Feels So Good (1977)
- Chuck Mangione – Children of Sanchez (1978)
- Chuck Mangione – Fun and Games (1979)
- Chuck Mangione – An Evening of Magic, Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1979)
- Anita Baker – Rapture Live (1987)
- Beastie Boys – Check Your Head (1992)
- Crazy Town – The Gift of Game (1999)
References
External links
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