Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech American multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter and recording artist Braxton Cook is the guest artist at this weekends Don Keranen Jazz Festival.

HOUGHTON – The 2026 Don Keranen Jazz Festival is back with three tomorrow and Saturday. Paying tribute to the founder of

the Michigan Tech Jazz Studies Program, Don Keranen, this festival features performances by the Video Game Jazz Ensemble, R&D Jazz Band, Jazztech, and Jazz Lab Band.

This year’s guest artist is American multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter and recording artist Braxton Cook. Cook is a world-class multi-instrumentalist known for his virtuosic saxophone playing and his soulful vocals. His music is on the cutting edge of modern black music with influences in jazz and R&B. Braxton was a finalist in the legendary Thelonious

Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition and has toured the world with artists like trumpeter/composer Chief Adjuah (aka Christian Scott), and guitarist/songwriter Tom Misch.

Braxton has been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk series twice in addition to appearing there as a member of other bands.

MTU Director of Jazz Studies Adam Meckler said, “I remember how it felt to meet and play with heroes of jazz when I was pursuing my undergraduate jazz degree. Those are experiences I will remember forever.”

Meckler adds he applies lessons he learned from those experiences to many facets of his life. “It is my desire to give students at Michigan Tech those same types of experiences.”

Cook and members of the Michigan Tech Jazz Program, directed by Meckler and Assistant Teaching Professor Drew Kilpela, will perform a variety of songs including original compositions by Cook and arranged by Meckler.

The Rozsa’s backstage provides an intimate concert experience both Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s performance will be followed by a late night (10 p.m.) Workshop Brass Band set at the Orpheum Theatre in Hancock.

Meckler said this is “a great opportunity to hear our Michigan Tech talent alongside a world renown jazz professional.”

Braxton Cook’s visit is partially funded by the Visiting Professor Program which is funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the State of Michigan’s King-Chávez-Parks Initiative.