Miche Braden

Jazz singer and actress Miche Braden was born on November 14, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan. Braden attended both Mackenzie and Cooley High School in Detroit. Following graduation, Miche went on to attend the Michigan State University & Bowles Conservatory of Music. Braden was an artist in residence with the Detroit Council of the Arts as well as the founder and former lead singer of the women's jazz band Straight Ahead. She is a protege of Motown musicians Earl Van Dyke, Thomas 'Beans' Bowles, and jazz master composer Harold McKinney. Braden won praise including Drama Desk & Lucille Lortel nominations for her portrayal of blues legend Bessie Smith in the musical stage production "The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith." Among the notable artists who Braden has worked with are Regina Carter, Lionel Hampton, Milt Hinton, Bettye LaVette, and Postmodern Jukebox.