During the 2012 Jazz Cruise, JazzTimes set up a make-shift video production studio in “The Boardroom,” a small room on the second deck of the MS Westerdam. Throughout the week, a succession of artists-including Kurt Elling, Freddy Cole, Ann Hampton-Callaway, Jay Leonhart, Ken Peplowski, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill Charlap & Renee Rosnes and many others-came in to talk about the cruise, jazz education and their own projects. We will be posting these interviews at jazztimes.com over the next few months. You can also see more of these video interviews at the JazzTimes YouTube channel.
Saxophonist Don Braden hails from Louisville, Kentucky, but has been a fixture on the NYC jazz scene for many years. He’s played with Wynton Marsalis, Art Blakey and many others. He’s released over a dozen albums as a leader. His most recent album is his very first on his own label.
In this In Person set of interview segments, Braden spoke about his early development as a saxophonist, his involvement with the Litchfield Jazz Camp, his new funk project and his impressions of the Jazz Cruise.
Don Braden on his early musical development:
Don Braden on his involvement with the Litchfield Jazz Camp:
Don Braden on his impressions of the Jazz Cruise:
Don Braden on his new funk project and his collaboration with singer Vanessa Rubin:
Interviews done by Irene Lee.
Originally Published
