Perry Bradford

Perry Bradford (February 14, 1893, Montgomery, Alabama – April 20, 1970, New York City) was an American composer, songwriter, and vaudeville performer.

His most notable songs included "Crazy Blues," "That Thing Called Love," and "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down.

[1] Through extensive experience with traveling minstrel shows and theatre companies, Bradford obtained exposure to African-American folksongs.

[3] Prior to Bradford's influence, African-American artists recorded in a style that was closely similar to those of white dance orchestras.

Among Bradford's sidemen were Johnny Dunn, Bubber Miley, Garvin Bushell, Louis Armstrong (on two numbers in 1925), Buster Bailey, and James P.

Bradford's influence in the recording industry was negatively affected by the crash of the stock market in 1929, as well as by changes in the character of jazz and African-American songs.