Tom Braxton’s foray into music began in his childhood, influenced by a family deeply rooted in musical traditions. HIs father James Braxton was a saxophonist who gave him his first saxophone in sixth grade. This early exposure to diverse genres shaped his understanding and love for music, setting the stage for a future in jazz.
Braxton’s pursuit of music led him to formal education in the field. He studied music in college at Texas Tech, where his skills on the saxophone flourished. This period was crucial in developing his foundational techniques and deepening his understanding of jazz harmony and improvisation. His college years also saw the beginning of his professional career, where he started to make a name for himself in local jazz circles.
Through the years, Tom has shared the stage with many well-known artists including Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Peter White, Candy Dulfer, Brian Culbertson, Bob James, George Duke, Earl Klugh, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Warren Hill, Jeff Golub, Marcus Miller, Keiko Matsui, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Sheila E., and Philip Bailey. Tom has opened concerts for numerous jazz greats including Norman Brown, Boney James, Najee, Dave Brubeck, Cab Calloway, Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons, David Benoit, Pieces of a Dream, Michael Franks, and The Crusaders. He has also garnered rave reviews overseas, performing as a headliner on the Algarve Smooth Jazz Festival in Portugal, twice on the Ghana Jazz Festival, the Smooth Jazz Europe Festival in the Netherlands, and the Nile Gold Jazz Safari in Uganda. He was also a featured performer on the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia. Braxton has toured abroad with Earl Klugh in South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, and Japan, and with Keiko Matsui in Russia, Eastern Europe, Malaysia, and Japan.
Tom Braxton’s discography is a reflection of his musical journey, featuring albums that span various styles and moods. Each album showcases his evolution as a musician and is a testament to his creativity and mastery of the saxophone.
Page last updated 11/12/2023.
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