Mark Braud

Biography

Mark Braud, born June 21, 1973, in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in a family of renowned musicians, including the Brunious and Santiago families. His grandfather, legendary trumpeter John 'Picket' Brunious Sr., and uncle Wendell Brunious profoundly shaped his early passion for jazz; at age 12, Wendell gave him a cornet, sparking his career. Braud began playing jazz alongside Nicholas Payton, joined the Olympia Kids (an offshoot of the Olympia Brass Band), and studied jazz performance at the University of New Orleans under Ellis Marsalis Jr. His music draws from traditional New Orleans jazz, R&B, and the great American songbook, delivering energetic, fresh interpretations of classic melodies[1][3][4][5].

Braud's professional career took off gigging with New Orleans legends like Eddie Bo, Henry Butler, Dr. Michael White’s Original Liberty Jazz Band, and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. Since 2001, he has been a key member of Harry Connick Jr.'s band, including on the TV show 'Harry,' and led the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from 2008 to 2016, later returning as a resident artist. A versatile collaborator, he has performed with the Marsalis family, Treme Brass Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, Foo Fighters, Tom Waits, Dr. John, and Allen Toussaint. His credits span TV (NCIS: New Orleans, Treme, American Horror Story), film (A Tuba to Cuba, The Jungle Book), and Broadway (One Mo’ Time, Harry Connick Jr. shows). In 2023, he co-founded Old Saw Music, a production music library, and in 2025, launched Colossus Brass Band[1][2][3][5].

Braud's legacy embodies the New Orleans jazz tradition, blending its down-home grooves with modern appeal. Described as one of the city's most versatile young trumpeters, his work preserves cultural heritage while reaching global audiences through tours, recordings, and media[1][4].

Fun Facts

• At age 12, his uncle Wendell Brunious gifted him a cornet, leading directly to early gigs with Nicholas Payton and the start of his jazz career[5].
• Braud founded Colossus Brass Band in 2025, continuing New Orleans' traditional brass band legacy just a year ago[1].
• He composed and performed for high-profile projects like 'A Tuba to Cuba' and appeared in Foo Fighters' 'Sonic Highways,' bridging jazz with rock[1][2].
• Born into musical Brunious and Santiago families, he carries forward a multi-generational New Orleans jazz dynasty[5].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Wendell Brunious - Uncle who introduced him to trumpet (Gave him a cornet at age 12) [1985]
• Ellis Marsalis Jr. - Jazz performance professor at University of New Orleans (Jazz studies training) [Early 1990s]
• John 'Picket' Brunious Sr. - Grandfather and stylistic inspiration (Legendary trumpeter influencing family tradition) [Childhood]

Key Collaborators

• Harry Connick Jr. - Long-term band member (Band since 2001, TV show 'Harry', Broadway concerts) [2001-present]
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Leader and resident artist (Leadership role, tours and recordings) [2008-2016, recent return]
• Nicholas Payton - Early playing partner (Jazz performances) [c. 1985]
• Dr. Michael White - Band member in Original Liberty Jazz Band (Performances and recordings) [1990s-2000s]
• Marsalis family - Frequent performances (Various jazz projects) [Ongoing]

External Links

• Spotify