One of today's top jazz saxophonists is in Sioux Falls this week. Don Braden has been on the national jazz scene for nearly 35 years. He began his career playing with such legends as vocalist Betty Carter, drummer Roy Haynes and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Braden has released 21 CDs. His latest, Earth Wind and Wonder, is a collection of songs by Earth, Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder.
Braden is also a renowned jazz educator and currently serves as the music director of the Litchfield Jazz Camp and presents workshops and master classes around the world. He's in Sioux Falls working with students at Lincoln, Washington and Roosevelt high schools as a part of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Peer-to-Peer Program. Along with Braden, the visit to Sioux Falls also includes vocalist Lisa Henry and an all-star sextet of high school musicians selected from around the country.
The program culminates in a Friday night performance by Braden, Henry and the Peer-to-Peer All-Star Jazz Sextet at Fernson on 8th in downtown Sioux Falls. The performance will feature Braden's arrangements from his new Earth Wind and Wonder album.
Braden joined Jazz Nightly and discussed the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz program and arranging Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind and Fire songs for a jazz group.
