Bradley A. Bombardier, a lifelong resident of Duluth, received his BM degree in Saxophone and Bassoon Performance from University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1982 and his MM degree as a Woodwind Specialist from Bowling Green State University in 1984.  Aside from his two years in Ohio, he has held the Second Bassoon chair with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra since 1980, and has been Principal Bassoon (also saxophone, clarinet, and percussion, as well as librarian) with the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra since 1988.  Brad has also appeared as principal and second bassoon with the Red Cedar, Heartland, and Chequamegon Symphonies, the Northern Lights and Eagle River Summer Music Festivals, The Northland Opera Theater Experience and Lyric Opera of the North Opera Orchestras, and the orchestras of UW-S, University of Minnesota-Duluth, and the College of St. Scholastica.  In 2005, Brad appeared as a featured soloist with the Itasca Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart Concerto, with three original cadenzas.

Along with Mike Roemhildt (Principal Bassoon, D-SSO), Brad is the co-founder of Roemhildt Reeds, makers of high quality professional bassoon reeds.  He is also proficient on the contrabassoon, and played classical bassoon during his tenure at St. Scholastica.  Mr. Bombardier is also active as a saxophonist, being a founding member of the Bigtime and Randy Lee Jazz Orchestras, as well as the Lake Superior Saxophone Quartet.  Brad also serves as Instructor of Saxophone at UM-D.

Mr. Bombardier currently plays on a 1976 Fox Model 101 Short Bore Bassoon, with a Heckel CC2 bocal, and of course, Roemhildt Reeds!