Donald Kirk Braden (born November 20, 1963) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and flautist.

[1][2] Braden was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 20, 1963, and raised in Louisville, Kentucky.

[3] He attended Harvard University from 1981 to 1984, studied engineering, and played in the school's jazz ensemble.

[3] He moved to New York City in 1984, where he played with The Harper Brothers, Lonnie Smith, and Betty Carter.

[2] He also played with Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, J.J. Johnson, Tom Harrell, Art Farmer, and the Mingus Big Band.