BOOKINGS

Listen to Saxophonist Tony Craddock, Jr. & Cold Front

“Tony not only makes me proud to be his mentor but he makes me proud to be a member of the human race. Tony played absolutely beautifully…and his spirit and passion for life, and love shined on a very fortunate audience and me.” – Ken Navarro, Chart-Topping and Award-Winning Jazz Guitarist (on Tony’s performance at the H2O release concert)

BIO

“The maturity of his vision for life and music is quite compelling and is born out in the sound of his horn,” says Grammy® award-winning saxophonist & composer Kirk Whalum about emerging jazz saxophonist Tony Craddock, Jr. Craddock’s discovery of smooth jazz on The Weather Channel’s “Local on the 8s” at age eight led him to the saxophone and eventually to Cornell University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology. Now, he uplifts listeners with song titles, lyrics and sounds that connect his music’s messages with emotions people experience from the weather, reaching more than 20,000 monthly listeners through Spotify and Pandora Radio.

Craddock’s latest album H₂O (March 2018) is produced by chart-topping jazz guitarist Ken Navarro and features Kirk Whalum on a soul-stirring offering of “Amazing Grace.” The lead single “Living Water” (featuring Navarro) airs on Sirius XM Watercolors, Music Choice Smooth Jazz and more than forty radio stations in the U.S., U.K. and Poland. “Living Water” peaked at #13 on the British Smooth Jazz chart and hit the Top 40 on the Radiowave Smooth Jazz chart. Craddock also renders his take on the New Edition classic “Can You Stand the Rain,” while penning six originals, including two heartfelt vocal songs he accompanies on saxophone, “Abide in Me” and “Sunrise,” dedicated to his wife and daughter respectively.

H₂O’s purpose is to remind all people they are more alike than different. “Human nature fools us into focusing on our differences,” says Craddock. “But beneath the surface, we’re much the same, just like H₂O.” He explains that water, ice and water vapor share the same molecular formula, H₂O, despite their different appearances. His other albums include Convection (2013) and Christmas in the Air (2011), which aired on The Weather Channel’s “Local on the 8s” in 2011 and 2012, bringing his musical journey full circle since that is where his passion for jazz began.

Describing the experience of one of Craddock’s shows, Ronald Jackson of The Smooth Jazz Ride recalls, “A warm night outside met a cool set inside, and the contrast was much appreciated — as was the impressive set by the weatherman with a penchant for sax and smooth jazz.” Craddock has performed at Bethesda Blues & Jazz, Blues Alley, Jazz in the Garden, Jazz in the Park, the U.S. Botanic Garden and National Harbor (Washington, D.C. area); The Tin Pan and CBS 6’s “Virginia This Morning” (Richmond, VA); Chateau Elan Winery & Resort (Braselton, GA); and events in Detroit, MI and Waco, TX. He has also been blessed to share the stage with award-winning artists Norman Connors, Jean Carne, Ken Navarro, Ben Tankard, Luther Barnes, Kim Jordan and actress/singer Rebecca Holden (Nightrider, General Hospital).

Craddock leads the inspirational jazz band Tony Craddock, Jr. & Cold Front, the name under which he released H₂O. The band’s music blends jazz, gospel and R&B/soul, all genres which influence Craddock’s music. “Cold fronts lift warm air in weather,” explains Craddock. “We aim to lift people’s spirits through our music, just like a cold front.” He also serves as the musical director for the band which he has led since 2013.

Craddock believes his music has nothing to do with him, but rather the gifts with which God has blessed him. He is a native of Woodbridge, VA and currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife and daughter.

Read Tony’s full bio here!

Listen to Tony’s story here in his interview with Talking Smooth Jazz!