Braun Khan is Assistant Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at Utah State University. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in bass performance from Central Michigan University, and a Doctor of Arts in Jazz Studies and Bass Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. After completing his master’s degree, he taught courses in jazz theory at Central Michigan University and served as Community Outreach Coordinator for the School of Music.
While at the University of Northern Colorado, he was a teaching assistant in both the jazz studies area and the classical bass studio, was assistant to the managing producer of the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival, and served as Interim Jazz Bass Professor in the fall of 2014. He has also taught since 2013 on the JamPlay Online Instructional Website, one of the largest online instructional sites in the world, and in the summer teaches at the Rocky Ridge Music Center jazz camp in Estes Park, Colorado.
He is the recipient of several DownBeat awards for Best College Big Band as bassist with UNC’s Jazz Lab I, Outstanding Vocal Jazz Ensemble as a vocalist with UNC’s Vocal Lab, and for Outstanding Small Ensemble Composition for his original composition Airplanes. In 2014 he was also awarded the Hal Leonard Scholarship from the Jazz Education Network for exceptional talent and potential in jazz performance and education.
An active performer, he has extensive experience as a professional bassist in jazz, classical and various other musical styles, including performances with Howard Levy, Jeff Hamilton, the New York Voices, Greg Gisbert, Jake Shimabukuro, Groove For Thought, Clint de Ganon, Bob Christianson, and Clifford Carter, as well as the Cadillac Symphony Orchestra, and performances on electric bass and jazz bass with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He can also be heard on UNC’s Romeo and Juliet Project (goo.gl/B9dqGm).
Prior to moving to Colorado, he served as music director at a non-denominational church for 10 years. During that time he also organized a concert series which featured artists such as Billy Hart, Vincent Herring, Peter Zak, Tom Knific, and Phil Palombi. When not busy performing and teaching he enjoys spending time with his wife and five children.