Braxton Raymond is an in demand woodwind artist (saxophones, flutes, clarinets) from Toronto, Canada. He performs frequently in music theatre pit orchestras with Mirvish Productions, the Shaw Festival, the Stratford Festival and Broadway Across Canada. In addition to leading his own jazz ensembles, he has performed with the Vancouver Legacy Jazz Orchestra, the Composer’s Collective Big Band, David Usher, Father John Misty, Filo Machado, CaneFire, Juno Award winner Johnny Favourite, Matt Dusk, Steve Cropper (Blues Brothers, Booker T & The MGs), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. His work as a studio recording artist can be heard on CBC, TV Ontario, Netflix, The Hallmark Channel, Disney Plus, Teletoon, and Amazon Prime.
He is the woodwind soloist and orchestrator for Classic Albums Live. His pops concert orchestrations have been performed by The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Huntsville Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, in addition to appearances as guest conductor with The Rose Orchestra (ON), and the Houston Symphony (TX).
He has studied saxophone performance with Pat Labarbera (Humber College, Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich), Tony Dagradi (Loyola University, New Orleans, LA), and Lenny Pickett (Saturday Night Live). He’s also studied flute with Nina Dorey (Esprit Orchestra) and Kelly Zimba (Toronto Symphony Orchestra), and composition with Dr. Norman Ludwin (UCLA).
Braxton brings a wealth of practical experience as well as 18 years as an educator, most recently at St. Michael’s College, Toronto. While many of his students have gone on to music degree programs and professional music careers, he is passionate about teaching students of all ages and experience levels.