Miche Braden (born November 14, 1953) is an American jazz singer and songwriter known for her on-stage portrayals ofBessie Smith andBillie Holiday.^[1][2] Braden, who is originally from Detroit, originated the Bessie Smith role and has been performing it since 2000 inThe Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith.^[3][4] Braden has been called "the biggest force of nature this side ofHurricane Harvey."^[5][6] She has performed in the musical nationwide, including anoff-Broadway run in 2001 and again in 2011, as well as acting as the musical director and writing songs.^[7] She was nominated for a Helen Hayes award for her performance in 2018.^[8]

Braden was born inDetroit,Michigan, and attendedMackenzie High School andCooley High School. She later attendedMichigan State University.^[9] While in Detroit, Braden was an artist-in-residence with the Detroit Council of the Arts. She also founded a women's jazz band called Straight Ahead. She describes herself as a protégé ofMotown musicians Thomas "Beans" Bowles,Earl Van Dyke and jazz master composer Harold McKinney.^[7]

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