Behind the Scenes with Levi Bradford: A Jazzy LA Adventure

by | Aug 27, 2024

In early August, our talented instructor Levi Bradford took a brief break from his teaching duties at MediaTech Institute for an exciting musical adventure. Levi flew to Los Angeles to record a jazz session that was truly a star-studded experience. He shared a fascinating snapshot from his time in the studio, and it’s safe to say he found himself in some pretty incredible company!

From left to right in the picture, we have a lineup of jazz legends: Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, known for his work with artists like Sting and Frank Zappa; William Foley, a composer and pianist with an impressive repertoire; Jimmy Haslip, a renowned bassist and producer famous for his work with The Yellowjackets; Jimmy Johnson, a bass virtuoso known for playing alongside James Taylor; and Dennis Moody, an accomplished engineer with a wealth of experience in the music industry.

Levi, who took the picture, stepped into the role of engineer and editor for this session. He even hinted at potentially becoming a co-producer on the record—a testament to his growing influence and versatility in the studio.

But Levi’s experience isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s also a valuable educational opportunity for our students at MediaTech Institute. He plans to share some of these sessions in class, offering students a firsthand look at what it takes to work with top-tier musicians and producers.

Back in Dallas, Levi and the team are continuing to work on edits and overdubs, with plans to mix the album in mid to late September with the renowned Rich Breen. Levi has been invited to attend the mix session—a chance he hopes to take. Having started this album from the ground up, Levi is eager to see how someone of Rich Breen’s caliber will handle the audio processing.

We’re thrilled to have instructors like Levi, who bring their real-world experiences into the classroom, bridging the gap between education and industry. Stay tuned for more insights from Levi’s LA adventure and the ongoing project in Dallas. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired to embark on your own musical journey!

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