Rick Braun – the new self-titled album from the chart-topping multi-instrumentalist – performs strong out of the gate, retaining its position among the top five biggest-selling Current Contemporary Jazz Albums, according to MRC Data, for the second consecutive week while the lead single, dancefloor anthem “Feet First,” continues to be a fixture at radio. Download / stream the album HERE.
After launching the album with two sold-out shows at Spaghettini’s in Seal Beach, CA, Braun continues his U.S. tour tonight at Blue Note Napa in Northern California – the first evening of a two-night stand. See below for itinerary or visit https://www.rickbraun.com/tour. Check out Braun’s recent appearance on the award-winning podcast “Straight No Chaser” HERE.
Jazz Times noted, “Rick Braun has established himself as one of the most popular and prolific artists within the smooth-jazz genre…But his commercial success belies a strong affinity and facility for mainstream jazz.” AllMusic.com said, “Rick Braun is known for his warm blend of lyrical, Miles Davis-style improvisation and hooky, R&B-infused grooves…[his] romantic and finely rendered eponymous 2022 album…is one of his most organic and stylistically balanced recordings, moving from Sketches of Spain-esque Latin balladry (‘Amor de Mi Vida’) to soulful club jams (‘Da Funk’) with a laid-back ease.”
Jazz Weekly found the album “filled with impressive chops and relentless grooves.” Music Connection praised the “multi-faceted, self-titled urban funk/jazz meets exotica set.” 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.’”
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 – 2022 Tour Dates
3/4 – 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
