Spotlight on: Rick Braun

A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, trumpeter Rick Braun first surfaced in the 1970s as a member of the jazz-fusion band Auracle, formed while he was a student at the prestigious Eastman School of Music.

In the 1980s, Braun turned his hand to songwriting, scoring a hit with REO Speedwagon’s “Here with Me.”

Directing his style toward contemporary jazz, in 1992, he released his debut solo album, Intimate Secrets (Mesa), followed in 1994 by two solo albums, Night Walk and Christmas Present, featuring him playing muted trumpet and flugelhorn. With 1995’s Beat Street, Braun’s popularity and chart-topping success continued to snowball, solidifying his solo career. Rick’s 2022 self-titled album, Rick Braun, marked his 30th anniversary as a solo artist. Rick has garnered at least 30 Billboard #1 songs and is a two-time winner of the Gavin Report’s Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year award.

As a studio musician and touring member, Rick has worked with Natalie Cole, Glenn Frey, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, War, and Sade. Braun is part of a jazz group called BWB, with saxophonist Kirk Whalum and guitarist Norman Brown. He frequently performs live with musicians such as Candy Dulfer, Dave Koz, Jackiem Joyner, and Peter White.

With his hand in a variety of roles in the smooth jazz scene, Rick has worked as a music producer for Peter White, David Benoit, Marc Antoine, Jeff Golub, Richard Elliot, and Boney James.

Rick is back for another sell-out weekend April 4-5.
More about Rick Braun at his website…