Bradley was born Wilbur Schwitchenberg on July 12, 1912 in Newton, New Jers… Read Full Bio ↴Bradley was born Wilbur Schwitchenberg on July 12, 1912 in Newton, New Jersey and died on July 15, 1989.
Will Bradley will always be remembered most for his boogie-woogie orchestra of the early 1940s. Bradley himself, however, preferred to play ballads and had a long and successful career as a trombonist outside of his band. Bradley was a busy studio musician throughout the 1930s, working with such artists as Red Nichols, Eddie Cantor, Victor Young. Jacques Renard, Nat Shilkret, Andre Kostelanetz, Raymond Paige, Kate Smith, and Al Jolson. In 1935 Glenn Miller, who thought Bradley the best trombonist in the business, hired him to play in Ray Noble's American band, which Miller was organizing. He left Noble the following year, however, and returned to studio work. Bradley also played with Milt Shaw's orchestra in 1931, where he met drummer Ray McKinley.
Bradley's name was unknown to the general public when in 1939 William Morris talent agent Willard Alexander suggested he form a swing orchestra. Trombone-playing leaders, such as Miller and Tommy Dorsey, were currently popular, and Alexander felt Bradley would do well on his own. Drummers were also the rage, and Alexander teamed Bradley with old bandmate McKinley, who was then with Jimmy Dorsey. Backed by a powerful publicity campaign the duo's orchestra debuted in 1939 under Bradley's name and soon had its first big hit in ''Celery Stalks.''
The band initially featured pianist Freddie Slack and a young Peanuts Hucko on tenor sax. Trumpeters Lee Castle and Pete Candoli later played with the group. Arrangements were provided by Hugo Winterhalter, Leonard Whitney, and Al Datz. McKinley sang on the more swinging numbers. Other vocalists included Carlotta Dale, Phyllis Miles, Louise Tobin, Larry Southern, and Jimmy Valentine. The group's first recordings were on the Vocalion and Okeh labels. Subsequent releases were on Columbia.
In 1940 Bradley and McKinley began to feature the boogie woogie sound in their arrangements. Initial success with the song ''Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar'' sparked a slew of similar recordings, such as ''Bounce Me Brother, with a Solid Four'' and ''Scrub Me Mama, with a Boogie Beat.'' The new style proved popular with the public, and the band quickly developed a niche following. By early 1942, however, Bradley had tired of boogie-woogie and wanted to focus more on ballads. McKinley disagreed and left to form his own band.
Bradley set about reforming his orchestra but was forced to hang up his baton after only six months due to the war. He lost too many musicians in the draft and was unable to replace them. The new orchestra did not enter the studio. Vocalists were Terry Allen and Lynn Gardner
Bradley continued to record under his own name during the war, using studio musicians, on the Signature label. Ironically, considering the cause of his orchestra's break-up, in 1944 he released material on the Beacon/Celebrity label as Will Bradley and His Boogie Woogie Boys. In 1947 he also recorded with vocalist Anita O'Day on Signature, and in the 1950s he released three albums, which included one RCA collection of boogie woogie songs.
Bradley worked often as a studio musician after the war and spent many years in the Tonight Show orchestra in the Johnny Carson era. In 1953 he had a brief spell with the Sauter-Finegan Band and also composed several classical works in his later years.
Will Bradley will always be remembered most for his boogie-woogie orchestra of the early 1940s. Bradley himself, however, preferred to play ballads and had a long and successful career as a trombonist outside of his band. Bradley was a busy studio musician throughout the 1930s, working with such artists as Red Nichols, Eddie Cantor, Victor Young. Jacques Renard, Nat Shilkret, Andre Kostelanetz, Raymond Paige, Kate Smith, and Al Jolson. In 1935 Glenn Miller, who thought Bradley the best trombonist in the business, hired him to play in Ray Noble's American band, which Miller was organizing. He left Noble the following year, however, and returned to studio work. Bradley also played with Milt Shaw's orchestra in 1931, where he met drummer Ray McKinley.
Bradley's name was unknown to the general public when in 1939 William Morris talent agent Willard Alexander suggested he form a swing orchestra. Trombone-playing leaders, such as Miller and Tommy Dorsey, were currently popular, and Alexander felt Bradley would do well on his own. Drummers were also the rage, and Alexander teamed Bradley with old bandmate McKinley, who was then with Jimmy Dorsey. Backed by a powerful publicity campaign the duo's orchestra debuted in 1939 under Bradley's name and soon had its first big hit in ''Celery Stalks.''
The band initially featured pianist Freddie Slack and a young Peanuts Hucko on tenor sax. Trumpeters Lee Castle and Pete Candoli later played with the group. Arrangements were provided by Hugo Winterhalter, Leonard Whitney, and Al Datz. McKinley sang on the more swinging numbers. Other vocalists included Carlotta Dale, Phyllis Miles, Louise Tobin, Larry Southern, and Jimmy Valentine. The group's first recordings were on the Vocalion and Okeh labels. Subsequent releases were on Columbia.
In 1940 Bradley and McKinley began to feature the boogie woogie sound in their arrangements. Initial success with the song ''Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar'' sparked a slew of similar recordings, such as ''Bounce Me Brother, with a Solid Four'' and ''Scrub Me Mama, with a Boogie Beat.'' The new style proved popular with the public, and the band quickly developed a niche following. By early 1942, however, Bradley had tired of boogie-woogie and wanted to focus more on ballads. McKinley disagreed and left to form his own band.
Bradley set about reforming his orchestra but was forced to hang up his baton after only six months due to the war. He lost too many musicians in the draft and was unable to replace them. The new orchestra did not enter the studio. Vocalists were Terry Allen and Lynn Gardner
Bradley continued to record under his own name during the war, using studio musicians, on the Signature label. Ironically, considering the cause of his orchestra's break-up, in 1944 he released material on the Beacon/Celebrity label as Will Bradley and His Boogie Woogie Boys. In 1947 he also recorded with vocalist Anita O'Day on Signature, and in the 1950s he released three albums, which included one RCA collection of boogie woogie songs.
Bradley worked often as a studio musician after the war and spent many years in the Tonight Show orchestra in the Johnny Carson era. In 1953 he had a brief spell with the Sauter-Finegan Band and also composed several classical works in his later years.
Oh! Lady Be Good
Will Bradley Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Oh! Lady Be Good' by these artists:
Art Tatum Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Artie Shaw and His Orchestra feat. Artie Shaw Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but true, All…
Artie Shaw; Artie Shaw & His Orchestra Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Benny Carter Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Benny Goodman Trio Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Bob Haggart and His Orchestra Listen to my tale of woe it's terribly sad but true All…
Bob Wilber Kenny Davern Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Buck And Bubbles Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Chris Barber Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Coleman Hawkins Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but true, All…
Count Basie Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Earl Hines Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Eddie Condon Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Ella Fitzgerald Listen to my tale of woe It's terribly sad but true All…
Ella Fitzgerald With Bob Haggart & His Orchestra Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Eureka Brass Band Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
foursome Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Frankie Laine Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Fred Astaire Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but true, All…
George & Ira Gershwin Listen to my tale of woe It's terribly sad, but true All…
George Chisholm Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Howard McGhee Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Ingram Washington Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Jerry Gray & His Orchestra Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Jones Smith Inc. Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Jones-Smith Inc Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Jones-Smith Inc. Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Jones-Smith Incorporated Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Lester Young Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Lionel Hampton & His Just Jazz All Stars Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but true, All…
Mary Lou Williams Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Nat King Cole Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
O'Donnell Kevin Quality Six Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Peter Sellers Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Red Norvo and His Orchestra Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Red Norvo And His Swing Sextette Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Stéphane Grappelli Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Ted Heath Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
The Benny Goodman Sextet Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
The Fives Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
The Thomas Band Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Virginia O'Brien Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Will Bradley:
Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar - written by…
Beat Me, Daddy, Eight to the Bar Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar- written by Don…
Down The Road A Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down The Road A-Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down the Road Apiece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down The Road To A Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Five O'clock Whistle The five o'clock whistle's on the blink The whistle won't b…
High On A Windy Hill High on a windy hill I feel my heart stand still All…
In A Little Spanish Town Evenings are crowded with memories Thrilling me again Like t…
Pinocchio: When You Wish Upon A Star When a star is born They possess a gift or two One…
The Johnson Rag Johnson Flood Mississippi Mud Black Bottom I got 'em Lindy …
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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