Draft:Fred Radke

Personal life and early career
Fred was born to Edward, a WWII veteran, and Jane Elizabeth Radke in Oakland, CA. Fred Radke learned to play the trumpet at seven years old and began his professional trumpet career at fifteen. He recalled, "I saw Harry James -- one of the most successful trumpet players in the world -- on TV when [he] was 8 years old. and I thought, 'I want to be just like him. I want to play with him.' " He has credited his high school big and the Waldonians, a private big band, for preparing him to play professionally. Over the next years, he played under the leadership of Sal Carson, Dick Stewart, and Burt Bacharach and for actress Marlene Dietrich and The Ed Sullivan Show with Johnny Mathis. He attended the College of San Mateo. He married Gina Funes in 1966.

As an instructor
Radke has directed at North Seattle College since 1970, having started the jazz music program there. From 2012 to 2020, Radke directed the University of Washington Big Band.

Career with Harry James Orchestra
At 23 years old, Radke joined the Harry James Orchestra playing first trumpet. At the time, the band played recurring shows in Las Vegas featuring drummer Sonny Payne, later going on tour. Radke was a full time member of the band in 1969 and 1970 and made occasional returns to the band for over ten years. In 1989, the Radke led a tour honoring the 50th anniversary of the Harry James Orchestra.