Tim Bradley is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, performer, educator, producer, music creator, and entrepreneur. Tim is co-founder and Artistic Director of Copper Street Brass, a full-time brass ensemble based in Minneapolis, MN, where he performs on horn, guitar, piano, synthesizers, and percussion.

With Copper Street, Tim has created well over 300 unique arrangements and compositions for brass, and is passionate about evolving instrumental music into modern day relevance. He molds music typically not originally written for brass (i.e. orchestra, piano, voice, jazz combo, rock band, etc.) into artistically entertaining and exceptional arrangements for instrumental performers. This music spans the majority of music history: from Gregorian chant to Mozart, Dave Brubeck to Pat Metheny, Led Zeppelin to Queen, the Beatles to David Bowie, Paul Simon to Stevie Wonder, Radiohead to Adele, musical theater to movie soundtracks, and much more.

Teaching is a large part of Tim’s musical career. Since 1999, he has held an active horn studio of students of all ages, and has served on faculty at St. Olaf College, Concordia University (St. Paul), and the MacPhail Center for Music. In addition to private instruction, he also has over 20 years of masterclass and ensemble-coaching experience, and also frequently gives guest lectures and appearances about arts entrepreneurship and the business of music.

Tim is an active performing presence in the Twin Cities live music and recording scene, and is comfortable performing in classical, jazz, pops, and commercial styles. He is a member of the Minnesota Opera orchestra and is often seen performing with Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. His horn playing can be heard on many notable musicians’ records, and in 2015 Tim recorded for Prince.

Tim plays guitar in two rock bands (Treehorn and The MOB) who cover everything from the Beatles and Tom Petty to Alice in Chains and Rage Against the Machine. A long-time guitar tinkerer, Tim incorporated his own electric-guitar making business, Nightjar Guitars, in 2021, specializing in using reclaimed and salvaged materials to build hand-crafted custom electric guitars.

Tim was born and raised in Lawrence, KS, and holds music degrees from St. Olaf College and Southern Methodist University. Tim lives in Minneapolis with his wife Allison and their dog Bernard. In what spare time he has, he enjoys mountain biking, camping, watching college basketball (go Jayhawks!), and tending to his backyard chickens.