Friday Music Series: Paul Bratcher

Artist Biography

A native of Harrisburg Pennsylvania, Paul Bratcher began playing piano at age 11. After high school Paul continued his education at Messiah College where he achieved a B.S. in Music Education. During his time there he had opportunities to study and play with Tim Warfield, Bruce Barth and Cyrus Chestnut. He went on to pursue an M.M. in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University, where he studied under Reggie Thomas. During his time there he played with such masters as Rodney Whitaker, Jeff Tain Watts, Etienne Charles, Randy Guilespie, Diego Rivera, Michael Dease, Wes ‘Warm Daddy’ Anderson and Branford Marsalis. Bratcher has participated in three international tours on the continents of Africa, Canada and South America. He has recorded an album with young trumpeter Anthony Stanco and has toured the all across the United States.

He currently serves as Associate Chair of Piano at the Levine School of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Georgetown University.