Biography of Fred Radke

FRED RADKE is a masterful trumpeter, big-band conductor, musical clinician and educator, recording artist, composer and arranger, and producer. Along with vocalist Gina Funes, Fred has captivated hordes of veteran big-band music fans as well as novice listeners throughout the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and across North America. Fred has also performed six tours of the Far East. In 2007 he won his third Telly Award, for Visions of Valor, recognizing Medal of Honor recipients. He also won Tellys in 2004 as music director, for the Museum of Flight’s Wings of Heroes, and in 2005 for Apollo 13.

EARLY CAREER:  Born in Oakland, California, Fred started playing trumpet at age seven and soon joined musical organization, the Weldonians. He turned professional at the age of fifteen and performed with the Sal Carson and Dick Stewart big bands . Over the next three years, Fred led the band of a steamship line during ocean crossings of the Pacific and gained additional experience by working with Marlene Dietrich (with Burt Bacharach conducting), and Johnny Mathis. He furthered his education by attending the College of San Mateo and was featured as guest trumpet soloist and musical director of "The Lancers".

WITH HARRY JAMES: Perhaps the most important musical influence in Fred's early career was that of legendary jazz trumpet player Harry James.  In what can only be described as a dream come true for Fred, he joined the Harry James Orchestra as lead trumpet player and toured with his mentor. Fred cherished his time with Harry and considered it a great compliment when other musicians, including Harry himself, would remark as to the similarity of Fred's sound and musical style to that of his mentor.

In early 1989, Fred was asked by the Harry James Estate and Columbia Artists to lead the Harry James Orchestra for the 50th Anniversary of Harry James, where they performed 71 concerts throughout the United States. In 1994-95, Fred led a Tribute to Harry James in a battle of the Big Bands on an International Tour.  In 1998, Fred was once again the leader of the Harry James Orchestra for a coast-to-coast tour where they performed 75 concerts for Jomar and Columbia Artists

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