Rutgers IJS Presents Bradford Hayes Quartet Birthday Celebration
Rutgers IJS Presents Bradford Hayes Quartet Birthday Celebration
Join us in person for a fun and lively night with the Bradford Hayes Quartet as we celebrate a special birthday! Expect amazing tunes, great vibes, and an unforgettable evening. Don’t miss out on this awesome event brought to you by Rutgers IJS. Come hang, enjoy the music, and make some memories!
🎷 Biography of Bradford Hayes
Bradford Hayes September 25, 1959, Petersburg, Virginia) is a jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator known for his work across New York, New Jersey, and the broader Northeastern U.S.
Raised in Dinwiddie County, VA, he began saxophone lessons around age 11 and later earned a B.S. in Music Education from North Carolina A&T State University in 1983.
After college, he studied privately with major jazz saxophonists Charles Davis and George Coleman between 1983–1988, deepening his grounding in bebop and modern jazz traditions.
🎼 Career Highlights
🌟 Performer & Bandleader
Hayes has been a prominent performer for decades, appearing at major venues including:
- Birdland (NYC)
- Tavern on the Green (NYC)
- Beacon Theater (NYC)
He leads his own ensembles — the Bradford Hayes Quartet, Organ Trio, and various trio configurations — performing across NJ/NY concert halls, libraries, festivals, and cultural institutions.
🤝 Collaborations
He has performed or recorded with an impressive roster of jazz legends, including:
- Jimmy Heath, Al Grey, Cecil Payne, Rufus Reid, Ray Bryant, Ben Riley, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Cecil Brooks III, Jerry Butler, The Dells
He has also opened for:
- Betty Carter, Joe Henderson, Max Roach, Marlena Shaw, Pieces of a Dream, Hilton Ruiz, Chico Freeman
🥁 Babatunde Olatunji’s Drums of Passion
Hayes spent 15 years performing with Babatunde Olatunji’s Drums of Passion Band, serving as Musical Director for the final three years until Olatunji’s passing — a major milestone in his career.
🎓 Educator
Hayes is also an educator based in Newark, New Jersey, teaching saxophone and music fundamentals. His teaching profile appears on platforms such as Lessonface and LinkedIn.
🏛️ Community & Cultural Work
He is deeply active in New Jersey’s cultural scene, performing regularly for:
- Black History Month celebrations
- Library concert series
- Community jazz festivals
- Church‑based sacred arts programs
His ensembles frequently appear in Union County, Essex County, and throughout the NJ arts circuit.
Check out the livestream on the Clement’s Place Jazz and IJS Facebook pages and on our YouTube channel –
https://www.facebook.com/events/407513298157352/?ref=newsfeed
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