Branden Brown is an in-demand saxophonist, and composer based in Los Angeles, CA. Branden holds a Master’s of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California as well as a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. At UNT, Branden performed and recorded with award-winning ensembles, including the UNT Two O’ Clock Lab Band, the Latin Jazz Lab Band and the North Texas Wind Symphony. In 2018, he was selected to play lead alto in the Disneyland All-American College Band, and spent the summer in the Los Angeles area working with prominent musicians like Sal Lozano, Wayne Bergeron, Steve Houghton, and John Clayton. In 2019 Branden relocated to Los Angeles from Texas to attend USC for his Master’s degree, where he performed with and wrote music for the Thornton Jazz Orchestra under director Bob Mintzer.

Branden is also an in-demand educator. Since 2021 he has worked as a Flute, Saxophone, and Clarinet Mentor at the Musicians at Play Foundation’s Band and Orchestra program in Inglewood, California. Branden is a Conservatory teacher at the Orange County School of the Arts(OCSA) in Santa Ana, CA. At OCSA, Branden teaches Saxophone Masterclass and directs the Jazz Ensemble. Many of Branden Brown’s students have placed in honor groups and competitions including SCSBOA All-Southern, CBDA California All-State, YoungArts, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the Hancock Institute’s Peer-to-Peer Ensemble, the Brubeck Jazz Summit, and the Pacific Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble.

In addition to being an active performer and educator, Branden is active as a composer, with his most recent involved film scoring projects being selected for showings at the Los Angeles Animation Festival, DOC NYC, and the Palm Springs 28th International Film Festival.

Mentors that have greatly influenced him so far include Vince Mendoza, Bob Mintzer, Brad Leali, Adam Larson, Jason Goldman, Dr. Eric Nestler, and Kevin McNerney.

Branden takes influence and inspiration from the music of Steve Lacy, Ornette Coleman, Dewey Redman, Anthony Braxton, Kenny Wheeler, Arthur Russell, and the World Saxophone Quartet.

Branden is available for clinics related to big band/jazz ensemble performance, jazz improvisation, music composition, and saxophone performance. He is also available for commissions for large jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, orchestra, and film scoring projects.