Cheerfully bucking the traditional idea that self-titled albums are only for artists just getting started, Rick Braun marks a fresh new chapter in his career with Rick Braun, a stylistically eclectic, ultra-funky/soulful, and exotica tinged collection on his indie label Brauntosoarus that celebrates 30 years since Intimate Secrets launched him to contemporary jazz stardom and made him one of the genre’s most influential artists and producers. After amassing over 20 #1 Smooth Jazz hits, producing #1s for fellow genre greats David Benoit, Marc Antoine and the late Jeff Golub, creating two of the genre’s most impactful dual albums ever (Shake It Up with Boney James, RnR with Richard Elliot) and recording three hit albums as part of the all-star trio BWB (with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown), Rick Braun reveals that the multi-faceted performer is in full creative overdrive and, from his unique perspective, just getting started. Laying the foundation in his home studio during the pandemic lock- down, Braun enjoyed bringing in contemporary jazz’s most storied sidemen, including bassists Darryl Williams, Jimmy Haslip, Kenny Wild, Nate Philips, Oskar Cartaya and Courtney Wild; drummers Gorden Campbell, Sergio Gonzalez, Eric Valentine and Gary Novak; keyboardist Greg Phillinganes and percussionist Lenny Castro.