Bobby Lee Bradford is an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, bandleader, and composer born in 1934 in Cleveland, Mississippi. He moved to Los Angeles in 1953 and reunited with Ornette Coleman, joining his ensemble. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958, playing in military bands. He rejoined Coleman's quartet from 1961 to 1963. Following this, he collaborated extensively with clarinetist John Carter, performing at international festivals and releasing albums like Flight for Four (1969), Self Determination Music (1970), and Secrets (1973). After Carter's death in 1991, he led his own ensemble, The Mo'tet. He taught the history of jazz and led the jazz ensemble at Pomona College for 44 years, retiring in 2021. Notable albums include Love's Dream (1974) and Lost in L.A. (1984). He received the Festival of New Trumpet Music's Award of Recognition in 2009.
