Rick Braun, a luminary in the world of contemporary jazz, has carved a remarkable path with his soulful trumpet melodies. Braun will perform with saxophonist Richard Elliot and guitarist Peter White on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival.
Hailing from Allentown, PA, Braun’s journey began with the jazz-fusion group Auracle before he transitioned into a solo career that has spanned decades. Known for his smooth jazz hits and collaborations with icons like Boney James and Elliot, Braun’s music effortlessly blends technical brilliance with emotional depth.
COLLABS AND INFLUENCERS
He has amassed over 20 No.1 Smooth Jazz hits, producing No.1s for fellow genre greats David Benoit, Marc Antoine and the late Jeff Golub, creating two of the genre’s most impactful dual albums ever (Shake It Up with Boney James, RnR with Richard Elliot) and recording three hit albums as part of the all-star trio BWB (with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown).
Braun cites renowned musicians such as Till Bronner, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard,
Lee Morgan, and Chet Baker as his influences. He also listened to Philly originated legends like the Brecker Brothers, Jeff Lorber and fellow Allentown native Keith Jarrett. While attending the Eastman School of Music, he became a member of the jazz fusion band Auracle and cut his producing chops on their second album.
STRONG PREPARATION
He set the stage for his early 90s emergence as a contemporary jazz artist by first becoming successful in the pop music world. During the 80s, Braun co-wrote REO Speedwagon’s Top 20 Billboard hit “Here With Me” and worked in the studio and/or on tour with everyone from Crowded House to superstars Natalie Cole, Glenn Frey, Tom Petty, Sade, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, and War.
In addition to classic, genre defining Contemporary Jazz albums like Beat Street (1995), Full Stride (1998), Kisses in the Rain (2001), Esperanto (2003) and Can You Feel It (2014), Braun’s eclectic discography includes the 2005 covers album Yours Truly, the standards set Sings with Strings (2011) and his second holiday album, the independently released Swingin’ In the Snow (2012).
