Don Braden  | |
|---|---|
![]() Don Braden and the Big Funk Band, Morristown, New Jersey, December 31, 2011  | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 20, 1963 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.  | 
| Origin | New York City | 
| Genres | Jazz | 
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer | 
| Instrument(s) | Tenor saxophone, flute | 
| Years active | 1984–present | 
| Website | www | 
Donald Kirk Braden (born November 20, 1963) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and flautist.[1][2]
Career
Braden was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 20, 1963 and raised in Louisville, Kentucky.[3] He began playing tenor sax at age 13 and started playing professionally at 15.[3] In high school, he played in the McDonald's All-American High School Jazz Band.[3] He attended Harvard University from 1981 to 1984, studied engineering, and played in the school's jazz ensemble.[3] He moved to New York City in 1984, where he played with The Harper Brothers, Lonnie Smith, and Betty Carter.[3] In 1986–87 he toured with Wynton Marsalis.[3] In the late 1980s and early 1990s he toured internationally with Freddie Hubbard.[2] He also played with Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson, Tom Harrell, Art Farmer, and the Mingus Big Band.[3]
Braden led his own bands from the early 1990s, while also recording as a freelancer.[2]
Discography
As leader
- The Time Is Now (Criss Cross, 1991)[2]
 - Wish List (Criss Cross, 1991)
 - After Dark (Criss Cross, 1993)[2]
 - Landing Zone (Landmark, 1994)
 - Organic (Epicure, 1995)[2]
 - The Open Road (Double-Time, 1996)[2]
 - The Voice of the Saxophone (RCA, 1997)
 - The Fire Within (RCA, 1999)
 - Contemporary Standards Ensemble (Double-Time, 2000)
 - Brighter Days (HighNote, 2001)
 - The New Hang (HighNote, 2004)
 - Workin' - Live at Cecil's (HighNote, 2006)
 - Gentle Storm (HighNote, 2008)
 - The Strayhorn Project (with Mark Rapp) (Premium Music Solutions, 2009)
 - Big Fun(k) Live (with Karl Latham) (Creative Perspective Music, 2011)
 - Come Together (with Julie Michels) (Creative Perspective Music/JHP, 2012)
 - Full Circle (with Vanessa Rubin) (Creative Perspective Music, 2013)
 - Luminosity (Creative Perspective Music, 2015)
 - Earth Wind and Wonder (Creative Perspective Music, 2018)
 - Earth Wind and Wonder Volume 2 (Self-released, 2022)[4]
 
As sideman
With Art Farmer
- Silk Road (Arabesque, 1997)
 
With Freddie Hubbard
- At Jazz Jamboree Warszawa '91: A Tribute to Miles (Starburst, 2000)
 
With Jimmy Ponder
- Guitar Christmas (HighNote, 1998)
 
With Roseanna Vitro
- Tropical Postcards (A Records, 2004)
 
References
- ↑ https://jazzbakery.org/events/saxophoniest-don-braden-quartet-presents-earth-wind-and-wonder saxophonist Don Braden Quartet presents Earth Wind and Wonder
 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kennedy, Gary W. (2001). "Braden, Don(ald Kirk)". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yanow, Scott. "Don Braden: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
 - ↑ "Witness to History". donbraden.bandcamp.com. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
 
External links
- Official website
 - Don Braden discography at Discogs
 
