MOJA: An Evening of Jazz with Hank Bilal & Willie Bradley

Come listen to the smooth sounds of two Grammy-nominated musicians, chart-topping contemporary jazz artists who are from right here in South Carolina. Legendary and internationally renowned trumpeter Willie Bradley and up-and-coming trombonist Hank Bilal, will grace the stage of the historic Dock Street Theatre for an evening of soul-stirring jazz and soul.

About Willie Bradley

Willie Bradley is a native of Orangeburg, SC and a graduate of South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC where he earned his BS Degree in Music Education and Performance. Over the course of his career, he has become a go –to musician for many of soul music’s greats over the years. His music reach spans worldwide and can be heard on Smooth Jazz Radio Stations to include Sirius XM, Music Choice, Pandora, Spotify, and iHeart Radio.

In 2014, Willie released his debut Contemporary Jazz CD “Another Day & Time” produced and co-written by keyboardist/Recording Artist Nicholas Cole.

On his sophomore CD project (2018) “Going With The Flow”, Willie showed the music world that he was not just going with the “average” flow of things. Together with multi-award-winning producer Preston Glass, (Kenny G., George Benson, Earth Wind & Fire and many more) they brought together a fantastic group of songs as well as a cast of stellar musicians. This musical adventure was merely an appetizer of sweet things to come. 

His third CD (2021), “It’s My Time” contained two #1 Billboard singles – “It’s On Now” featuring Ragan Whiteside and “It’s My Time featuring James Lloyd. The single “It’s My Time” was also featured on the Top 30 Smooth Jazz Network chart for best songs of 2021.

Willie is currently working on his fourth CD (2023) “Raising The Bar” and is working with several new producers (David Dyson, Jacob Webb, Gino Rosaria, James Lloyd, Nathan Mitchell and Jeff Canady) that will definitely “Raise The Bar” on this project.

Throughout his music career, Willie’s musical productions have been considered for two Grammy Awards and he was selected as Beats Magazine 2021 Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year By The Smooth Jazz Network. He was the Distinguished Alumnus Award winner for 2022 at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC and currently in his second year serving as full time Music Industry Professor/Artist In Residence at the University

About Hank Bilal

GRAMMY Nominated trombonist, Hank Bilal was born in Winnsboro, South Carolina into a musical family where his uncles on his mother’s side all played instruments and his father played drums professionally. As with many of our southern based musicians Hank Bilal started in church, in the youth choir. And at home there was always the music of gospel greats being heard like The Canton Spirituals, Mississippi Mass Choir, John Pee Kee and The Winans to name a few!

Hank’s formal music education began in middle school. Later Hank went on the earn his Bachelor of Arts in music performance. Before turning in the direction of more contemporary jazz Hank spent many years in listening to classic jazz where he was exposed to the giants of the jazz style.

Hank Bilal has shared a performance platform with many great artists, from performing on the GRAMMY awards with Aretha Franklin to Gerald Albright, Chaka Khan, Christopher William and The Clark Sisters! Beyond being a veteran trombonist, the GRAMMY Nominated artist is also fluent in other performing areas as a pianists, singer and other brass instruments!

You can also add music producer as Hank Bilal has produced multiple albums; to include, The Black Aquarius, Brassential Elements,  A Bona Fide Christmas, and Beneath the Covers, which features some of the best in smooth jazz! 

Hank Bilal is also an educator and has been teaching elementary grades preK3  through 6th at Martin de Porres Catholic School since 2015. In addition to him being an educator he serves as an active member of community service groups, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi.