Tyondai Braxton is an American composer and performer, largely known as the former guitarist/singer of American post-rock super-group Battles, and as a prominently featured artist on record label Warp Records. He has been actively producing and performing music under his name as a solo artist, as well as collaboratively under various group titles and collectives, since the mid 90’s.
Raised in Connecticut and Northern California, Braxton is the son of multi-instrumentalist and avant-garde composer Anthony Braxton. He later studied composition at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut with Robert Carl, Ingram Marshall and Ken Steen. His “orchestrated loops” involve real-time overlaying of guitar, voice and found objects, designed to simulate an ensemble.
Most recently, Braxton’s newest work titled Central Market, was released by Warp Records in September 2009 worldwide; the album showcases Braxton’s orchestral music, while maintaining qualities of loop composition he is known for. Collaboratively, Braxton has also worked with such artists as Prefuse 73 and Glenn Branca, and has been commissioned by the Kronos Quartet and Bang on a Can, amongst others.
