Acclaimed soul singer Charles Bradley dies

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    (September 23, 2017) Soul singer supreme Charles Bradley was largely unknown to the soul music world until his celebrated 2011 debut album, but he quickly became an international star for his brand of gutsy soul music. Sadly, the incredibly talented Mr. Bradley has dies after a long bout with cancer.

    Bradley had to cancel a number of shows late last year, and never recovered from the cancerous tumor in his stomach. When he announced the cancellation of the shows a few months ago, he wrote to his fans, "Music is how I share my love with the world, and the love that my fans have given back brings to much joy.”

    (September 23, 2017) Soul singer supreme Charles Bradley was largely unknown to the soul music world until his celebrated 2011 debut album, but he quickly became an international star for his brand of gutsy soul music. Sadly, the incredibly talented Mr. Bradley has dies after a long bout with cancer.

    Bradley had to cancel a number of shows late last year, and never recovered from the cancerous tumor in his stomach. When he announced the cancellation of the shows a few months ago, he wrote to his fans, "Music is how I share my love with the world, and the love that my fans have given back brings to much joy.”

    Bradley was largely a silent musical figure, working odd jobs for most of his adult life in Maine, New York, Canada and even Alaska, before moving to Brooklyn, where he continued to work various jobs while performing a James Brown tribute show at night. He was discovered by Daptones Records exec Gabriel Roth. Roth signed him to the label, and, after several years, released Bradley’s debut album, No Time For Dreaming, in 2011. It was hailed as one of the year’s best albums and it, combined with the 2012 documentary on Bradley, Soul of America, made him an international star who, to many, bore the mark of a latter day Otis Redding.

    Bradley subsequently released two additional albums and toured the world, wowing audiences with his lively performances. It is particularly sad that illness overcame him so soon after he received long-delayed recognition, but we are thankful that we have a legacy of music left behind by this talented singer.