On Thursday, Aug. 14, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles presents Stealin’ Home, a special performance led by West Coast jazz legend Bobby Bradford honoring baseball icon Jackie Robinson. Known for breaking Major League Baseball’s “color line” in 1947 when he joined the then-Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson’s historic career serves as the inspiration for Bradford’s original suite.
The septet features an all-star lineup of Southern California jazz artists, including CalArts Music faculty and longtime collaborator Vinny Golia (alto and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet) and CalArts alum Tina Raymond (Music MFA 10, drums), alongside Chuck Manning (tenor saxophone), William Roper (tuba, euphonium, spoken word, vocals), Don Preston (piano, gong), and Henry Franklin (bass). The 91-year-old Bradford also performs on cornet.
Born in 1934 in Mississippi and raised in Texas, Bradford moved to Los Angeles in 1953 and joined Ornette Coleman’s band before serving in the U.S. Air Force. He rejoined Coleman from 1961–63, later recording with him on the landmark album Science Fiction (1971–72). Bradford went on to form a decades-long partnership with woodwind artist John Carter, producing acclaimed recordings such as Flight for Four (1969) and Self Determination Music (1970). Over his career, Bradford has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Los Angeles Treasure Award in 2022.
A respected educator as well as a performer, Bradford taught jazz studies and trumpet at Pasadena City College for more than 30 years and led the jazz ensemble at Pomona College for over four decades before retiring in 2021.
Stealin’ Home is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
