Rick Braun

A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, trumpeter Rick Braun first surfaced as a member of the jazz-fusion outfit Auracle, formed while he was a student at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. After two LPs the group disbanded, and Braun turned to songwriting, scoring a hit with REO Speedwagon's “Here with Me. “

In time he directed his focus to contemporary jazz, issuing his solo debut Intimate “Secrets” in 1993. After touring with Sade, he returned in 1994 with “Night Walk” as well as the seasonal release “Christmas Present.”

With 1995's “Beat Street,” Braun's popularity continued to snowball, with 1996's smash “Body and Soul” launching the NAC chart-topper “Notorious.”

A two-time winner of the Gavin Report's smooth jazz artist of the year award, he returned in 1998 with “South of Midnight.” He also collaborated with Boney James on the 2000 release “Shake It Up.” “Kisses in the Rain” followed a year later.