Although he is a Juilliard graduate, alto saxophonist, composer, and vocalist, Braxton Cook is a progressive jazz musician whose recordings synthesize blues, gospel, soul, funk, and rap. A native of Washington, D.C., Cook was drawn to his instrument at the age of five through his father, and the records in his house factored in his development as a listener and player. A major turning point for him came when he started a lengthy association with trumpeter Christian Scott, including studio sessions and extensive touring. As a leader, Cook has issued a handful of his own works. After the self-released Sketch (2014) and Braxton Cook Meets Butcher Brown (2015), he joined the Fresh Selects label for Somewhere in Between (2017). He signed to Nettwerk in 2022; they reissued Fire Sign in September and released 2023's Who Are You When No One Is Watching? in February.