| Self-titled albums are typically introductory statements reserved for an artist’s first release, but Rick Braun boldly bucks this tradition with his new album. Rick Braun – a stylistically eclectic, ultra-soulful/funky and exotica-tinged collection of 10 new songs, all produced and written or co-written by the chart-topping multi-instrumentalist – coincides with his 30th anniversary as a solo recording artist. Download / stream the album HERE.
The exuberant first single, “Feet First,” was Most Added for two consecutive weeks at radio. “I think if you get your feet in a happening place, the rest of you will follow,” says Rick Braun, who found inspiration for the song in his daughter, 21-year-old Emma, who is high-functioning autistic. “She loves to crank up the music and dance in our backyard. Every album that I do has at least one song on it where I can picture her going out and dancing.”
Braun, joined by a variety of special guests, will celebrate the album’s release tonight and tomorrow night with sold-out album release shows at Spaghettini’s in Seal Beach, CA. The February 12 show will be livestreamed on a special episode of “Rick’s Café Live,” which can be viewed on YouTube. See below for additional tour dates or visit https://www.rickbraun.com/tour.
The new album reflects Braun’s ongoing passion for incorporating world music into his trademark trumpet and flugelhorn aesthetic with tracks like the gracefully exotic, Latin-tinged “Amor De Mi Vida (Love of My Life),” the buoyant, lighthearted “Turkish” and the silky and sensual brass-fueled Latin fusion jam “Back to Mallorca.” A 10-piece live string section, arranged and conducted by Nick Lane, is heard on five tracks. Beyond creating textures that alternately caress and soar, these strings are Braun’s way of paying homage to the sound of the classic 60’s and 70’s albums on Creed Taylor’s legendary CTI Records. Roy McClurg served as the album’s executive producer.
Jazz Weekly – which recently posted this in-depth Q&A with Braun – said, “With a Miles Davisy muted horn, Braun sounds mystical following [Tony] Pulizzi’s intro and hip hopping around the strings on ‘Turkish’ while getting sweet and sensuous with keys and percussion on ‘6th Street’.” Smooth Jazz Therapy said, “The urgently intense ‘Da Funk’ is a horn fueled delight and this multi dimensional tour de force gains further texture with the big brassy ‘Four On The Floor’ which includes Braun with an ‘on point’ piano solo and flashes of bluesy B3…an outstanding CD that, even at this early stage, promises to be one of the musical highlights of the smooth jazz year." 360° Sound praised the “upbeat and danceable new single ‘Feet First.’”
Released via his own indie label, Brauntosoarus Music, Rick Braun comes 30 years after his debut album, Intimate Secrets, propelled Braun from sideman for everyone from Crowded House, Tom Petty and Sade to Tina Turner, Rod Stewart and Glenn Frey to chart-topping front man and acclaimed producer.
Braun has amassed over 20 No. 1 Smooth Jazz hits (including “Notorious" and "Grazin’ in the Grass"), produced No. 1’s for David Benoit, Marc Antoine and the late Jeff Golub, created two of the genre’s most impactful dual albums ever (Shake It Up with Boney James, RnR with Richard Elliot) and recorded three hit albums as part of the all-star trio BWB (with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown). Rick Braun reveals the exciting truth that the multi-faceted performer is just getting started.
Rick Braun – 2022 Tour Dates
2/11 – Seal Beach, CA – Spaghettini’s – Album Release Party SOLD OUT
2/12 – Seal Beach, CA – Spaghettini – Rick’s Café Live – Album Release Party SOLD OUT
2/19 – Rancho Mirage, CA – Grooves Jazz at the Westin (with Michael Paulo)
34 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa
3/5 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa
3/17 – Daytona Beach, FL – Daytona Jazz Weekend 2022
3/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Rivers Casino (RnR featuring Rick Braun & Richard Elliot)
4/2 – Rosemont, IL – SmoothChicago Smooth Jazz (2 shows)
4/7 – West Reading, PA – Berks Jazz Fest (with Brian Bromberg, Gerald Veasley)
4/8 – West Reading, PA – Berks Jazz Fest (with Keiko Matsui, Eric Marienthal, Jackiem Joyner, Gerald Veasley, Karen Briggs)
4/10 – West Reading, PA – Berks Jazz Fest (with Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright
4/30 – Scottsdale, AZ – Jazz Day AZ (with Richard Elliot)
5/13 – Amsterdam, NL – Dave Koz & Friends at Sea – Amsterdam and The British Isles 2022
7/1 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Music Festival 2022 (with Richard Elliot)
8/4 – Arles, FR – Rick Braun’s River Cruise: Colors of Provence – Week 1 (with Peter White, Kirk Whalum, Marc Antoine)
8/11 – Lyon, FR – Rick Braun’s River Cruise: Colors of Provence – Week 2 (with Peter White, Kirk Whalum, Marc Antoine)
9/3 – Pensacola, FL – Gulf Coast Summer Fest Jazz Edition 2022
11/3 – Daytona Beach, FL – Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend (RnR featuring Rick Braun & Richard Elliot)
11/7 – Cancun, MX – Warren Hill Cancun Jazz Festival 2022
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