Braxton Cook

R&B/soul newcomer Braxton Cook‘s new single “Somewhere in Between” has the Okayplayer crew going nuts.

Cook grew up in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area during the 1990s, listening to Motown records, Parliament Funkadelic, Cameo, Bill Withers and old jazz records. His saxophone chops landed him at Julliard and in the band for Grammy-nominated trumpeter Christian Scott. He now lives in Harlem, New York City.

“Somewhere in Between” shows off his multiple influences as a rich backdrop and a beautiful saxophone solo support solid vocals and lyrics about sticking to one’s own artistic expression despite the rigid walls of genres. Cook shared a few words about the song:

“The overarching concept behind this song is about finding your own lane and trusting in it. It’s about finding yourself and not conforming to the pressures around us. For me, my sound and musical identity has always been in between the soul music that I grew up on and the jazz that I have studied and grown to love. So I wrote this song to say, that it’s okay to be a little different. We should embrace our uniqueness and follow through with it.”

Listen to “Somewhere in Between” below, and keep in touch with him on Twitter, Facebook or his website BraxtonCook.com. - Okayplayer

Up and coming jazz and R&B artist Braxton Cook is creating his own lane with a new single, “Somewhere in Between.” Combining his skills as a highly trained saxophonist and solid vocalist, Cook meshes jazz soundscapes with his contemporary and enchanting R&B vocals. The rising star debuts his talent with “Somewhere in Between” as an artistic declaration that “you can find balance in who you are [and] what others expect of you.”

With jazzy live instrumentation that is slightly orchestral in execution and the silky texture of Braxton’s voice, the single delivers honest and sincere lyrics about coexisting between two genres. “It’s about not conforming to how others think you should sound and how you should be. It’s about finding your path and sticking to it,” he says of the track. Sit back, relax and listen to Braxton Cook’s mesmerizing “Somewhere in Between” below. - Saint Heron

Pour a glass of wine, settle down by the fire or near a bubble bath, and press play. No need for a date, Braxton Cook will be joining you soon.

Just in time for the height of cuffing season, the young, extremely talented artist put out his newest release, “Somewhere in Between,” a sultry jazz tune that feels like it was meant for cuddling but could stand a bit of swaying around an empty dance floor. His voice comes across smoothly and clearly, with the slightest hint of Eric Benet-type jazz soul. Not to compare him with anyone, because he can surely stand on his own as an R&B artist to be reckoned with, but I found him to be “somewhere in between” Ro James, Maxwell, and Miguel, with a hint of Anderson.Paak to taste. It stays in the same range for most of the song, but surprises us with a welcome belt of emotion after rattling out a rhythmic flow in the first verse.

The music – composed by Cook, who also played the keyboard and the saxophone – shows off his musicality. A student of jazz at the prestigious Julliard School who has has been fortunate to share the stage with Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste and Christian Scott, Braxton Cook’s musical prowess is evident and listeners can tell he knows his way around his instruments. He uses them less as background music, and more as a secondary main feature, almost as if he’s singing a duet with the music.

But sorry, ladies: as sultry as the song is, Braxton says it’s not about us this time. According to the über-talented artist, the song is about “finding your own lane and trusting in it. It’s about finding yourself and not conforming to the pressures around us.” (Is it just me or does that explanation make it sexier?)

Jaded as you may be, it is in your best interest to check out Braxton Cook’s music and to remember his name. This is not the last you’ll hear from him. He may be “somewhere in the between” right now, but he’s heading swiftly to the top. - IAMTHEINDUSTRY

Up and coming artist Braxton Cook is a novelty to look out for with his infectious musical stylings that commingle the improvisations of jazz music and the sweet seduction of R&B vocals. With this new release “Somewhere in Between,” Cook takes you on an incredible journey into the inner workings of his compositions and mind. The emotion behind not only the vocals, but also the instrumentals are incredible and bold. He utilizes his talents as a professionally trained saxophonist to compliment his new found voice.

The jazz-star explains that one has to be settled with themselves and that amidst the struggles of self-identity and truth against society “you can find balance in who you are [and] what others expect of you,” as long as you don’t hide from the authentic you. When listening to this song, you can picture sitting in a smoke-engulfed lounge with dim lighting and a whispering buzz coming from the anonymity of the crowd surrounding you. The song has no clear beginning and no clear end — it is just a hallucinogenic tune and a serene lullaby to drift you away as you allow Braxton to soundtrack your life with the croons of his saxophone and massage you with the layers of tonalities, intonations and drum beats.
This artist may not be a big name, but it doesn’t mean that he can’t or won’t be someday. He has already been recognized by acclaimed label and publication Saint Heron, who said that the song, with a “jazzy live instrumentation that is slightly orchestral in execution and the silky texture of Braxton’s voice, the single delivers honest and sincere lyrics.” He continues, “it’s about not conforming to how others think you should sound and how you should be. It’s about finding your path and sticking to it.”

The orchestral record creates the perfect backdrop of white noise against his sweet, chilling vocals. Cook’s voice is silky soft, and yet carries a force of its own, leaving you in a trance-like daze on a crisp sunny Sunday morning.

Braxton tugs at the heart strings, picks you up and places you somewhere in between bliss and a dream state. - Good Music All Day