“As musicians and people in general, we are all a collection
of the places we've been, things we've heard, seen and done, and people who
we've loved and who have loved us,” shares chart-topping contemporary jazz
pioneer Rick Braun. The trumpeter will release Crossroads on Shanachie
Entertainment on August 16, 2019. The 10-track recording is a thrilling musical
expedition giving us an intimate glimpse into Rick Braun’s inspirations. “At
this point in life,” states Braun, “I'm grateful for the opportunity to make
music. I think I'm just very comfortable with where I am in life right now.”
Somewhat of a musical chameleon, Braun’s vision and virtuosity have allowed him
to stand at the crossroads of the music world. He’s amassed over 20 #1 Smooth
Jazz hits and collaborated with Sade, Tom Petty and REO Speedwagon, among
others. Braun has produced No. 1 hits for David Benoit, Marc Antoine and Jeff
Golub. He’s also achieved collaborative success on massive hits with Boney
James as well as with the group RnR, with saxophonist Richard Elliot and BWB, a
powerhouse trio completed by Grammy® winners Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown.
“When I think about the word ‘crossroads,’ says Braun, “I think about the
possibilities for the future as well as the places I have been.” In keeping
with this theme Braun enlists a cross-section of friends both old and new. He’s
joined by dear friends, keyboardist Philippe Saisse, guitarist Peter White,
bassist Nate Phillips, tenorman Richard Elliot, drummer Eric Valentine and
percussionist Richie Garcia. He also welcomes some first time collaborators
keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, guitarist Michael Thompson, and drummer Gregg
Bissonette. Braun explains, “The common thread is the musicality that everyone
brought to this project. I'm so thrilled with the playing on this record.
Everyone stepped up and I think there are a lot of wonderful musical moments to
be heard.”
Shanachie VP of A&R, Danny Weiss states, “Rick's tone,
chops and phrasing link him to the jazz giants of the past. He can hold his own
in any setting. Yet he communicates to a vast audience far beyond the jazz
aficionado. His warmth, wit and musical spirit make him a great communicator -
a hit maker!”
Crossroads, Rick Braun’s 18th recording as a leader, opens
with the percussive and funky “Around The Corner.” The song, which was inspired
by his daughter Emma, is the perfect intro as it illustrates Braun’s knack for
crafting memorable grooves with fluid and soaring melodies that have a way of
instantly drawing you in. “Since my daughter Emma was born every project of
mine has included a song for her that she can go outside and just let loose and
dance to,” says Braun. “These songs usually end up being some of the most well
liked songs on the record!” Braun co-wrote the Latin-tinged and breezy
composition “Brazz Street” with Chris “Big Dog” Davis, who he likes to refer to
as the ‘Neil Simon of music production.’ “He is one of the most talented
arrangers and producers I have ever met. If I reach out to him and I tell him
what I need on a record, more often than not he delivers me a track that just
gets the job done so beautifully within days of my request.” The album’s first
single “Crossroads,” is a buttery-smooth swinger that showcases Braun’s joyous
interplay with longtime collaborator, friend and co-writer Philippe Saisse on
keys and vibes. “Philippe first brought it in and it had a very four on the
floor disco eurobeat and after I listened to it with the help of my co-producer
Bud Harner (who also plays drums on ‘Family’) Philippe and I went back to the
drawing board and turned it into this wonderful song that ended up being the
title cut for the record,” shares Braun. “Philippe is definitely one of the
most talented people I've ever known in my life. He is one of those people that
pushes me to the next level.”
The show-stopping “The Moment I Saw You” is a sensuous and
gorgeous Burt Bacharach/Hal David tinged ballad that almost stops you in your
tracks while Stevie Wonder’s 1976 hit, “I Wish,” from the seminal Songs In The
Key Of Life, is one of two memorable covers on Crossroads. Tenor saxophonist
Richard Elliot, guitarist Tony Pulizzi, keyboardist Greg Phillinganes and
percussionist Richie Garcia cut loose creating an exhilarating version that
will dare you to sit still. “On my Beat Street CD I recorded a song called
‘Coolsville’ featuring upright bass over top of a hip hop kind of a groove.
That was the musical influence for my version of Stevie Wonder's’ ‘I Wish,’
shares Braun. He adds, “Kenny Wild played upright bass and really brings this
song to life. As an interesting side note Greg Phillinganes plays keyboards on
this song and worked with Stevie Wonder for many years as well as Michael
Jackson. Greg definitely brought this to the next level.” Crossroads also
features “Me And You,” an intoxicating composition featuring Peter White that
swells with intense emotion and beauty. “Peter is one of my oldest and dearest
friends,” confides Braun. “We have collaborated on so many projects throughout
our careers. When Peter White puts his touch on anything it just sounds
amazing.”
Rick Braun is the ultimate family man on and off the
bandstand. Not only did he pen “Around The Corner” with his daughter Emma in
mind, but he welcomes 17 year-old son Kyle to join in a reinvention of Bruno
Mars’ hit “Versace On The Floor.”
Greg Phillinganes was actually a keyboardist on the original
Mars track. “Kyle’s passion is actually basketball,” states Braun. “However,
when he comes home from practice or just wants to relax he always sits down at
the piano and starts playing. I'm so happy that Kyle has kept music alive in
his life. It always warms my heart to hear him play.” The track also features
Braun’s longtime friend and saxman Richard Elliot. “I’ve produced so many of
Richard’s records and he is as good as it gets. It's so wonderful to have
someone like Richard Elliot to be able to call when I need to have a tenor solo
that lifts the whole track to a whole other level.” The exquisite opus “Family”
was inspired by Rick’s childhood memories of his maternal grandparents. His
grandfather was a country fiddle player and his grandmother played piano and
sang. “One of the few memories I have is of them playing one of my grandmother’s
favorite songs from the 1800s ‘Silver Threads Among The Gold,” recalls Braun.
He built upon that memory and further drew rhythmic inspiration from a Maroon 5
song that his daughter Emma was listening to one day in the car. “When it came
time to play melody on it, the only melody that felt right was inspired by
‘Silver Threads Among the Gold.’ It has a real Americana feel. Bud (Harner)
helped the song evolve and I have to credit Michael Thompson with his amazing
guitar work and my friend Kenny Wild, who played the fretless bass on the
song.” The seductive Bossa Nova groove of “Bahia” transports us to a place of
tranquility and the R&B flow of “Come With Me” delights from beginning to
end. Braun shares, “The song ‘Bahia’ was inspired by the work that Philippe did
with Gato Barbieri. To this day Gato’s Que Paso record is one of my favorite
ever and so when we sat down to do something for this project we use that as a
point of departure.”
Rick Braun first picked up the trumpet at eight and felt an
instant connection. “I loved the smell of the horn, the sound that it made and
everything about it and I continue to love it. I am still inspired by many
trumpet players,” declares Braun, who enjoys basketball with his son and
playing tennis and golf when he can fit it in. "On a contemporary level I
think Till Brönner continues to be a major influence. Looking back, the players
who have influenced me most include Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Lee
Morgan, and of course Chet Baker.” There was a time when Braun was contemplating
pursuing medical school but luckily for us music won. Coming of age in
Allentown, PA (about an hour outside of Philadelphia), Braun was acutely aware
of the volume of jazz musicians who developed in his area. “The Brecker
Brothers were a huge influence. My dear friend Jeff Lorber is also from
Philadelphia and Keith Jarrett is from Allentown. There is a rumor in my family
that Jarrett is actually my third cousin!” Rick Braun has enjoyed a career
longevity that is rare in this business. He has crafted his own distinctive
sound and become a staple on contemporary jazz radio. Braun has hosted an
annual New Year’s Eve event for almost a decade that benefits autism. His
daughter is autistic and Braun has made it a mission to bring awareness to autism.
“One of my passions is just trying to help people who are affected by autism.
It is really important for me to just reach out and help wherever I can,”
shares the inspiring musician.
Rick Braun concludes, “As my fans listen to Crossroads, I'm
hoping they can hear the sincerity in the music. I think the fact that I'm
still around making music after all of these years is a testimony to how much I
enjoy doing it. It's funny because musicians never retire. There is no reason
to because we love our job so much to retire would be to leave something that
we love. Most musicians just cancel the gig because, let's face it, we left the
planet. I am most likely going to be one of those guys!”
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