Every now and then, you meet someone extra special whose genuineness leaves you yearning to be a better person. This is precisely how I felt after speaking with musician David Braun, who soulfully played trumpet Saturday night, March 19 at
Every now and then, you meet someone extra special whose genuineness leaves you yearning to be a better person. This is precisely how I felt after speaking with musician David Braun, who soulfully played trumpet Saturday night, March 19 at Trees Lounge in Waipouli.
Braun performed as a special guest with the band Acoustic Medicine, and he added a touch of velvety smooth refinement with his trumpet. With his eyes closed from time to time as he performed, Braun harmonized beautifully and blended with the band in a natural way.
Hearing a seasoned trumpet player is a unique opportunity on Kaua‘i, and Braun said he plays trumpet when he can, in venues such as this, to prepare for his album he will be working on this summer.
When I asked Braun about his album, he said, “The intent and purpose is fully giving praise to Jesus and to God and offering of my talents to him.” Divine inspiration is understandable when hearing Braun play since he performs with a sense of freedom and purpose.
Braun plans to travel to O‘ahu in the summer to do some performing, then begin recording his album of original music with the help of other musicians such as Kaua‘i’s Michael Ruff.
Speaking of O‘ahu, Braun recently performed there with bass player Dean Taba. Braun performed mostly original music he’s written over the years at Gordon Biersch in the Aloha Tower, and the next night he played at Sarento’s on the fourteenth floor of the Ilikai Hotel.
Taba and Braun met at the Red Clay Jazz Festival on Kaua‘i. Braun said, “We just always had a blast together … and he said if I’m ever in Honolulu to give him a call. I was able to go this spring break.”
In addition to performing as a musician on Kaua‘i, Braun teaches music at Waimea Canyon Middle School. In his fourth year teaching at WCMS, Braun leads a steady group of young people who perform at elementary schools on the island as well as other venues including a recent performance for Waimea Rotary Club.
“I’ve been very proud of all the work that they’ve done … Each year the bar is getting raised. April 29 and 30 the top band is going to perform at the Ala Moana mall and have some fun while we’re there too,” said Braun of his students.
Braun has a deep appreciation for the language of music and said, “This year has been particularly fun to watch because I can put new music in front of them and they can develop those skills to read music as a language.”
You may wonder how Braun is able to balance all the aspects of music in his life from teaching full time, to performing, to preparing to record an album. When I asked, he said, “A whole lot of prayer. Sometimes it feels a little crazy, but it’s a good crazy, so I just surrender daily.”
Originally taught music by his father, who gave Braun his first trumpet that he still plays with today, Braun grew up playing in his church as a youngster and later studied music in college.
Braun invites everyone to come to the Marriott on April 22 at 10 a.m. to listen to international speaker Nick Vujicic give an inspiring talk titled “From no limbs to no limits.”
For more information contact: dvdbrn79@hotmail.com.
David Braun plays piano Wednesday evenings from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Caffé Coco in Wailua with the Aloha JazzQuartet. To hear David play trumpet, you may see him at 8 p.m. onTuesday evenings at the Grand Hyatt in Po‘ipu when he chimes inwith jazz musicians for their first set. For more information or tohire David Braun for your special event, please email:dvdbrn79@hotmail.com.
