Rick Braun is a prominent American smooth jazz trumpeter, flugelhorn player, keyboardist, vocalist, composer, and record producer, known for his distinctive sound and numerous chart-topping hits. After pursuing formal music education at the Eastman School of Music in the 1970s, Rick Braun became a member of the jazz-fusion band Auracle, collaborating with producer Teo Macero and co-producing their second album, ‘City Slickers.’ In the 1980s, he ventured into pop music, releasing a solo album in Japan and establishing himself as a prolific songwriter. He co-wrote the top twenty hit ‘Here with Me’ for REO Speedwagon and composed the theme for Lorimar’s NBC show ‘Midnight Caller.’ Braun further solidified his reputation as a versatile studio musician and touring member for acclaimed artists including Crowded House, Natalie Cole, Glenn Frey, Tom Petty, Sade, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, and War. By 1992, he released his debut solo album, ‘Intimate Secrets’ on Mesa, quickly followed by ‘Night Walk’ and ‘Christmas Present’ in 1994, and ‘Beat Street’ in 1995, marking the beginning of his full-time solo career.

He continued his streak of number one hits with ‘Can You Feel It’ in 2014, reaffirming his consistent presence at the pinnacle of the smooth jazz landscape. His significant contributions to jazz have been recognized by Gavin Report, which named him ‘Artist of the Year’ twice. In recent years, Braun has continued to expand his acclaimed discography with ‘Around the Horn’ in 2017, ‘Crossroads’ in 2019, and his self-titled album ‘Rick Braun’ in 2022, maintaining his status as a leading figure in contemporary jazz and an in-demand performer across the globe.