The first thing to know about Jeff Bradshaw is that he’s doing well.

“I’m great, man,” says Bradshaw, 52, on the phone from Philadelphia. “Physically, I’m good. Healthwise, I’m great. Just really been taking care of myself.”

There was a time a few years ago when that wasn’t the case.

In 2016, the veteran, Philly-born-and-based trombonist (who has performed with such icons as Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Patti LaBelle) was quite ill, suffering from a severe case of diverticulitis, which sidelined him for a year. As medical bills piled up and Bradshaw didn’t have health insurance to cover it all, friend and collaborator Jill Scott came to his aid. Not only did she set up a GoFundMe page for Bradshaw (which raised over $21,000), but she launched a benefit concert in 2017, which featured performances from various artists including Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, Eric Roberson and Houston jazz man Robert Glasper.

“I was against it,” he says. “Especially GoFundMe — I’m not against it, but I think some people take advantage of it. And here I was myself, in front of everybody, in need of help… I was drowning and I needed help, and my friends came to my aid. The fans came to my aid, and I will never forget that.”

These days, Bradshaw is back on the road, doing shows with such pals as vocalist Frank McComb. Both men will be in town this weekend for a show where each will each turn out 90-minute sets and, maybe, perform some numbers together. A Cleveland native who’s also worked with a long line of music legends (Prince, Chaka Khan, Branford Marsalis, Billy Preston, etc.), McComb says he’s looking forward to coming back to Houston, the same town where he recorded his 2020 live album “20 Years of Love Stories” at Texas Southern University’s KTSU studios.

“我有一个特别爱休斯顿,”麦库姆说51, calling from LA. “because Houston embraces me, man.”

A friendship that goes back decades, Bradshaw and McComb have always been down to collaborate. They got together on Bradshaw’s 2020 album “Stronger,” where Bradshaw did a cover of Stevie Wonder’s famed double song “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)," with McComb and Wonder soundalike Glenn Lewis handling vocals. (McComb, whose vocal style has often been compared to Donny Hathaway, created an arrangement that’s reminiscent of the “Superwoman” live cover Hathaway did that’s long been a fan favorite.)

“这是弗兰克的主意,”Bradshaw说。的collaboration was conceived after a concert Bradshaw did with several vocalist buddies, including Lewis and McComb. “Frank said, ‘We should do ‘Superwoman’ on the new album… And Glenn can do the first half and, then, I’ll do the second half, which was Donny’s version.’ It came out so amazing.” (McComb agrees that it was his idea, but says it was Bradshaw who came up with bringing in Lewis for the first half, as well as breaking the song up into two.)

Being the independent artists that they are, both Bradshaw and McComb continue to work to get their music out there to fans and people they hope will become fans. McComb currently has a trio of singles out — one smooth jazz, one urban adult-contemporary and a house remix. He also has a gospel single in the works. “I don’t consider myself one type of recording artist,” says McComb. “I play piano just as well as I sing. So, right now, I’m showcasing all my talents to all of my listeners in all the formats I know I’m good at.”

As for Bradshaw, he’s staying healthy so he can do what he knows he’s good at. “I’m just looking forward to getting back in the studio,” says Bradshaw. “And I’ll be on the road all year, doing my tour and simultaneously touring with Patti LaBelle at the same time. So, this is my second show in Houston as a solo artist, and I cannot wait.”

Craig Lindsey is a Houston-based writer.