Friday, February 19, 2010

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williams College Department of Music welcomes Don Braden as the special guest artist performing with the Williams Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Andy Jaffe on Saturday, March 6, at 8 p.m. in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. This free event is open to the public.

The concert combines the soulful sound of Don Braden with big band. Braden has released his 14th CD as band leader, "Gentle Storm." Born in Cincinnati, raised in Louisville and schooled by  the renowned Jamie Aebersold, he attended Harvard where he divided his time between studying engineering and performing at jazz clubs in Boston. At this time he began writing and arranging for dance, film and music projects as well as is own quartet. Among other high profile composing honors was his work for four years as co-music supervisor/composer for Bill Cosby’s most recent CBS sitcom, "Cosby."

The flagship Williams Jazz Ensemble (big band) plays formal concerts on campus, and also travels each year, with performances ranging from the Boston area to New York as well as throughout the Western Mass. region. In January 2008 the Ensemble was in residence at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico.