(Mark Lincoln Braun)
(2CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Flint, Michigan, Mark Lincoln Braun was the youngest of the three children of Phil and Sally Braun.
He became interested in the piano through recordings that his father had played and began studying under the likes of Boogie Woogie Red and other famous area musicians.
Between listening to records as well as the local musicians, and receiving one on one instructions from the local musicians, Braun's music career had begun.
Mark began playing by listening and watching the local musicians perform at local venues and private lessons.
Whilst immersing himself in the blues and boogie traditions and culture, Braun graduated from Flint Southwestern High School and was accepted into the prestigious University of Michigan. After completing three years towards a Bachelor of Arts in History degree, Braun decided to drop out and pursue a career in blues and boogie woogie style piano.
He moved to Ann Arbor as a young adult, and learned to play rock and pop
piano at age 15, but was converted to blues and boogie by a Jimmy Yancey
record his father gave him.
Mr. B. is a dedicated blues piano revivalist, recording tunes made famous
by Yancey, as well as Little Brother Montgomery, Professor Longhair, Mercy
Dee Walton, Amos Milburn, and Sunnyland Slim, among others.
My Sunday Best :
1994 - This is another trio date with Kurt Krahnke (bass) and Andy Conlin
(drums). Also featured prominently is the legendary drummer, Roy Brooks.
"The changes in direction serve to literally amaze the listener, taking
them through a range of moods and colors that are generally not
experienced in such a setting. Truly, in Braun's hands, musical genres are
bent into a pervasive whole, with no regard for anything but the purity of
intention and the transference of joyous emotion … this is musical empathy
at its best. This is not just a case of a local boy making good, this is a
statement of a world class musician playing for his hometown fans."
Detroit Metro Times Magazine. Recorded live at the Kerrytown Concert house
in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Hallelujah Train :
Released on 3 September 1996 - Mr. B meets the Bird of Paradise
Orchestra. This was an exhilarating and challenging collaboration, a mix
of original and standard compositions all presented in unique arrangements
for a 16 piece band. "From the opening 'Hallelujah Train' to the
practically unbelievable 10 minutes of sheer energy in the finale, 'B's
Boogie Woogie,' this album kicks out all the stops." - Louisiana Country
Magazine. Recorded live.
Track Listing: 1. Hallelujah Train 2. Brauny 3. One Room Country Shack 4.
My Sunday Best 5. Little Brother 6. Down the Road Apiece 7. Mardi Gras in
New Orleans 8. Air Mail Special 9. La Bailarina 10. Deep Excavation 11.
B's Boogie Woogie
Mr. B Live :
Mr. B Live at the Kerrytown Concert House 2002 - This is a solo date and
the first since B's BOUNCE in 1984. This set features many of the great
standards of the blues and boogie school recorded in front of an audience
on a beautiful Steinway model C at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann
Arbor. The Concert House has featured dozens of luminaries from the world
of jazz piano, and this recording documents a highlight in their series.
Mr. B returns to his roots for straight ahead blues and boogie piano
playing at its finest.
Track Listing: 1. Pinetop's Boogies 2. When the Saints Go Marching In 3.
After Hours 4. Jimmy's Stuff 5. Cow-Cow Blues 6. Honky Tonk Train Blues 7.
Sunnyside of the Street 8. Vicksburg Blues 9. Chicago Breakdown 10. My
Babe 11. St. Louis Blues
Cheek to Cheek :
Mr. B. has been visiting Ann Arbor for the annual art fair. This was
technically his first act. Every year he brings his bike transported up
right piano and plays songs on the U of M campus. His most famous act is
the 'Cheek to Cheek Boogie' where 2 people boogie on one piano switching
positions. Until recently his only partner in this act was Bob
Seeley.