Rick Braun

Rick Braun is a cornerstone figure of the contemporary smooth jazz movement, emerging in the early 1990s as a premier trumpeter and producer. Originally a session player for pop acts like Rod Stewart and Sade, Braun transitioned to a solo career that helped define the 'urban adult contemporary' jazz sound.

His style is characterized by a heavy reliance on the flugelhorn for its warmer, rounder tone, and a production aesthetic that mirrors the polished R&B of the era. Braun is a frequent collaborator, most notably in the supergroup BWB with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown, and through his long-standing partnership with saxophonist Richard Elliot. His career arc reflects the peak of the smooth jazz radio era, where he successfully blended jazz improvisation with pop-song structures. Critically, he is respected for his technical versatility, often doubling on trombone and keyboards, and for his business acumen as a co-founder of the ARTizen Music Group label. He remains a fixture on the festival circuit, representing the bridge between traditional brass technique and modern commercial appeal.