Don Braden

Don Braden (b. November 20, 1963) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.

Braden was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He began playing tenor sax at age 13 and started playing professionally at 15. As a high schooler he played in the McDonald's All-American High School Jazz Band. He attended Harvard University from 1981 to 1984 and studied engineering there, but also played in the school's jazz ensemble. He moved to New York City in 1984, where he played with The Harper Brothers, Lonnie Smith, and Betty Carter. In 1986-87 he toured with Wynton Marsalis, and following this played with Out of the Blue, Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson, Tom Harrell, Art Farmer, and the Mingus Big Band.

As leader

 * The Time Is Now (Criss Cross Jazz, 1991)
 * Wish List (Criss Cross, 1991)
 * After Dark (Criss Cross, 1993)
 * Landing Zone (Landmark Records, 1994)
 * Organic (Columbia Records, 1995)
 * The Open Road (Double-Time, 1996)
 * The Voice of the Saxophone (RCA Records, 1997)
 * Fire Within (RCA, 1999)
 * Contemporary Standards Ensemble (Double-Time, 2000)
 * Brighter Days (HighNote Records, 2001)
 * The New Hang (HighNote, 2004)
 * Workin' (HighNote, 2006)

As sideman
With Freddie Hubbard
 * At Jazz Jamboree Warszawa '91: A Tribute to Miles