Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

One of the great mysteries of Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is why the reader may not know them. A scientific study (read: polling Pollstar coworkers) showed that either people were planning to drive 250 miles to check out PMJ at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles – or they never heard of the group. There was no in between. 

– Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

Although Bradlee’s musical collective posts videos every week that can get more than 22 million view. Plenty of buyers have yet to see them on the internet or in real life. 

“Most people are still not familiar with Postmodern Jukebox,” Craig Bruck, who reps PMJ alongside Scott Mantell at ICM Partners, told Pollstar. “That’s exciting. As big as we are, playing Greek Theatre and Red Rocks this summer, the growth has only begun.” 

For those who are unfamiliar with PMJ, it’s the brainchild of pianist Scott Bradlee who reinterprets modern hits in the styles of ragtime, Motown, vintage jazz and other established genres. To do so he’s brought along performers who have raised their profile in the process, like Ariana Savales, Morgan James, “American Idol” finalists Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams, tambourine guy Tim Kubart, and, of course, everybody’s favorite seven-foot-tall sad clown Puddles Pity Party.

The shows feature a rotating cast of available musicians. 

“It’s different from so many other shows because we have three to five singers, then one sings with another act,” Bruck said. “It’s a really cool dynamic.” 

Another plus is, as these acts raise their profiles and tour on their own, they jump back into the PMJ shows. Rienhart, obviously, maintains her “Idol” fans and has her own performances, Puddles is selling out theatres and James is about to launch the March-June tour for her upcoming album yet it’s possible that any (no promises) could be at a PMJ date. 

– Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

“It’s awesome,” Bruck said. “With acts that have been on ‘The Voice’ or ‘American Idol,’ the first thing they try to do is distance themselves from those shows. With this crew, every single person I talked to, no matter how big they get on their own, understands how amazing this collective is.” 

PMJ tours Europe through April then the States in May before a co-headliner bill with Straight No Chaser that includes the Red Rocks and Greek Theatre shows before it’s off to Australia in September.