For the most basic assumption that dictated my early attempts to respond to creative music commentary was the mistaken belief that western journalists had some fundamental understanding of black creativity—or even western creativity—but this assumption was seriously in error.

He has taught at Mills College and as of 2012 is Professor of Music at Wesleyan University in Middletown Connecticut teaching music composition music history and improvisation. In 1975 he released an album on Muse Records titled Muhal with the Creative Construction Company a group consisting of Richard Davis (bass) Steve McCall (drums) Muhal Richard Abrams (piano cello) Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet) and Leroy Jenkins (violin). In 1994 he was granted a MacArthur Fellowship.

Braxton studied philosophy at Roosevelt University. He has taught at Mills College and as of 2012 is Professor of Music at Wesleyan University in Middletown Connecticut teaching music composition music history and improvisation. Among the array of instruments he plays are the flute; the sopranino soprano C-melody F mezzo-soprano E-flat alto baritone bass and contrabass saxophones; and the E-flat B-flat and contrabass clarinets.