New Orleans' Traditional Jazz music draws from ragtime, blues, marches (syncopated brass bands), African American religious music (gospel hymns), European classical music, and more. These roots arrived and blended in the city along with the people who brought them, creating the sound and feel that we all know. A number of musical families have come out of this cultural blend, and the traditions continue to be passed down the generational lines.

In a combo presentation/conversation with Mark Braud, we will learn more about the brass/traditional band culture, and will talk about his musical family (Brunious/Santiago) and the family's role in preserving the Traditional New Orleans music we love.

Trumpeter and vocalist Mark Braud is the quintessence of the New Orleans spirit. His energetic interpretations of melody craft a freshly unpredictable spin on the tradition of jazz and the down-home, honest grooves of New Orleans. Born in New Orleans, Braud comes from a family of world-renowned musicians. Traditional jazz, R&B and the great American songbook inspire his engaging music.

Braud has been a member of Harry Connick, Jr.'s band since 2001 and was in the band on Connick’s syndicated television show, Harry. He served as the leader of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from 2008 to 2016. He has played with a who's who of the music industry, ranging from the Treme Brass Band, the Marsalis family, and the Blind Boys of Alabama, all the way to the Foo Fighters, John Oates, Tom Waits, My Morning Jacket, Mos Def and Erykah Badu.

Braud’s television and film credits include: A Tuba to Cuba (actor, musician, composer), NCIS: New Orleans (musician, composer), Harry (musician, composer), Treme (musician), The Jungle Book (studio musician), Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways (musician), Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? (studio musician), American Horror Story (musician), and The Originals (musician). His appearances on Broadway include: One Mo’ Time (actor, musician) and Harry Connick, Jr. In Concert on Broadway (musician).

This Jazz Talk is FREE to all, but we do offer donation tickets to help offset the cost of the program. The talk is hosted via Zoom and is limited to 100 participats. We will send the Zoom link out to everyone about 2 hours before the presentation.