Widely acknowledged as one of the great figures in music of the late 20th century, Braxton's work as a saxophonist and composer has broken new conceptual and technical ground in the jazz and experimental musical traditions as defined by legends such as John Coltrane, Paul Desmond and Ornette Coleman, by he and his own peers in the historic Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in Chicago, and by composers such as Charles Ives, John Cage, Arnold Schoenberg, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. His recordings and writings have received critical praise and span four decades. His past collaborators include Leo Smith, Dave Holland, Chick Corea, George Lewis, Max Roach, Hank Jones, Marilyn Crispell and Mark Dresser.

Born June 4, 1945, Braxton began to play music in his teens. He attended the Chicago School of Music and Roosevelt University, studying music and philosophy. Upon discharge from the army in 1966, he returned to Chicago and joined the AACM, formed the trio Creative Construction Company and released For Alto, the first full-length solo saxophone album, which has since been acclaimed as one of the greatest saxophone recordings ever made. In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Braxton lived and performed in both Paris and New York, recording for the Arista label. He began his teaching career at Mills College in the 1980s before joining the Wesleyan University Music Department faculty, where he leads ensembles and teaches music composition and history while continuing to expand his catalog of compositions and performing around the world.

Part I of BRAXTON AT 60 opens with a Music Department Colloquium on Wednesday, September 14 at 4:15pm (Daltry Room), during which scholars and historians will discuss the impact of Braxton's work. The discussion serves as a prelude to Braxton's own Solo Saxophone performance of his language music compositions on Thursday, September 15 at 8pm (Crowell Concert Hall, tickets $10 general, $8 non-Wesleyan students and seniors). On Friday, September 16 at 8pm, the Braxton Trumpet Ensemble will premiere Composition 103 for 7 Trumpets, followed by the U.S. premiere of Diamond Curtain / Wall Trio, a piece which includes live electronic music and features Braxton on reeds, Taylor Ho Bynum (MA'04), brass, and Thomas Crean (MA'04), electric guitar (Crowell Concert Hall, tickets $10 general, $8 non-Wesleyan students and seniors). On Saturday, September 17 at 8pm, Braxton's current core ensemble, the Ghost Trance Twelvetet, will perform some of Braxton's newest compositions (Crowell Concert Hall, tickets $10 general, $8 non-Wesleyan students and seniors).

Genevieve Foccroulle

Part III, which concludes the BRAXTON AT 60 celebration, presents Braxton's works for larger ensembles, orchestras, and brings together many of Braxton's past collaborators together on the stage to play his music. Anthony Braxton's Large Ensemble will perform on Wednesday, December 7 at 8pm (Crowell Concert Hall, tickets $5), followed by the Anthony Braxton Alumni Concert on Friday, December 9 at 8pm (Crowell Concert Hall, tickets $10 general, $8 non-Wesleyan students and seniors). The concert finale of Braxton at 60 will feature at least two of his works for full orchestra, including Compositions 23 and 27, at his Orchestra Music concert on Saturday, December 10 at 8pm (Crowell Concert Hall, tickets $10 general, $8 non-Wesleyan students and seniors).