Tour Itinerary (back
to top)
Past itineraries - sorted by state and performance
date (view)
8/23/08 TBA Spyglass Winery Festival, Sunbury, PA,
9/2/08 - 9/8/08 - BLOCK
9/14/08 7:15 PM New York, NY Scratcher Bar
9/22/08 7:00 PM New York, NY Rockwood Music Hall
10/4/08 8:00 PM Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Museum
10/11/08 8:00 PM Cortland, NY SUNY - Cortland
10/15/08 11:30 AM Newark, DE University of Delaware
10/23/08 Lancaster, PA NACA Mid-Atlantic Showcase
11/5/08 9:00 PM Saint Paul, MN College of Saint Catherine
11/10/08 11:00 AM Moorhead, MN Minnesota State Community and Technical
College
11/12/08 6:00 PM St. Joseph, MO Missouri Western State University
11/15/08 9:00 PM Pella, IA Central College
11/18/08 11:30 AM Normal, IL Heartland Community College
11/18/08 7:30 PM Milwaukee, WI Alverno College
12/2/08 8:00 PM Syracuse, NY SUNY - Upstate Medical University
3/11/09 10:30 AM Coon Rapids, MN Anoka-Ramsey Community College -
Coon Rapids
3/13/09 9:00 PM Sioux Falls, SD Augustana College - SD
3/27/09 8:00 PM Rock Island, IL Augustana College
3/30/09 11:30 AM Fayette, IA Upper Iowa University
3/31/09 12:00 PM Sugar Grove, IL Waubonsee Community College
4/1/09 9:30 PM Crestview Hills, KY Thomas More College
4/7/09 12:00 PM Decatur, IL Richland Community College
4/9/09 11:30 AM Appleton, WI Fox Valley Technical College
4/17/09 4:00 PM Sarasota, FL Ringling School of Art & Design
Program Options: Ideas for presenting Brazz Tree on
your campus (back to top)
Please help Student Activities welcome Violin/Guitar duo Brazz
Tree
Here
are a few ways this program can complement classes….
American
Studies/American History classes:
Brazz Tree plays New World Acoustic Rock: world music with American
roots. Like American culture as a whole, their music draws on traditions
born in places as far-flung as Ireland and India, but retains a
uniquely “New World” feel. Students might consider:
What makes Brazz Tree’s (or any) music truly American? What
does their sound indicate about contemporary cultural currents on
our continent? How does a composition like “Anthem”
complement and comment on the protest songs of the 1960s, as well
as our country’s tradition of patriotic music? What story
do Brazz Tree’s lyrics tell about the values and concerns
common to the generation of Americans coming of age today?
Anthropology
classes:
After speech, music is the most basic form of human expression and
communication. For eons, humans have used their voices and other
instruments to celebrate, lament, or simply remember. How does Brazz
Tree’s music both draw on and depart from the musical traditions
of our ancestors, in form as well as function?
World
History/Music History classes:
Brazz Tree’s sound melds many distinct musical styles, from
all over the Eastern and Western worlds: Celtic, Indian, jazz, blues,
rock, pop, folk, classical, and so on. What does this blending of
sounds have to say about the blending of cultures? What historical
forces have caused/allowed this blending to come about?
Music/Drama
classes:
Music students will benefit from the chance to experience a new
genre of music (New World Acoustic Rock), and to study Brazz Tree’s
expertise as live performers. Drama students can observe how Brazz
Tree interacts with the audience (both during and between songs,
how their performance style meshes with their music, and how Mazz
used her voice to dramatic effect. The task of both musicians and
actors is to convey emotion: What strictures do musicians face that
actors don’t, and what freedoms? What can an actor learn from
a musician, about using the voice as an instrument of expression?
English/Writing
classes:
With rare exceptions, Brazz Tree writes every song they perform.
Lyrics, though not often included in the realm of literature, can
be seen as holding down one end of the continuum that starts at
poetry and passes through spoken word. What’s the relationship
between poetry and lyrics, and what’s the difference? What
can lyricists do that poets can’t, and vice versa? How does
Mazz use rhyme rhythm and other poetic devices, in convert with
her voice, her violin, and Brad’s guitar, to achieve the impact
she’s after?
Sociology/Psychology
classes:
A concert is a social, interactive event. How does listening to
music together (as opposed to alone) affect people’s responses
to what they hear? What effect does performing in front of an audience
(versus performing in a recording studio) have on the musicians
and their music?
Communications/Public
Speaking classes:
Live music is, above all, an attempt to communicate. Just as public
speakers (executives, politicians, media personnel) must convey
their message in a compelling, convincing way, so also must performers.
What techniques does Brazz Tree use to get and keep the audience’s
attention? How so they interact with the audience between songs?
How can music be used to strengthen the impact of a message?
Journalism
classes:
A Brazz Tree concert is always an event—with each performance,
they’re introducing a new audience to a new musical style
(New World Acoustic Rock), as well as putting on a spectacular show.
Journalism students can sharpen their skills as music reviewers,
event reporters, and also interviewers—they can question audience
members about their reaction to the show, and Brazz Tree about the
origins and trajectory of their music. Brazz Tree welcomes students’
questions.
Reviews and comments (back
to top)
Performance
Date: Oct.
18, 2007
It was nice meeting you at NACA as well. Everything for Brazz Tree went
absolutely magnificent. They are magnificent performers and the campus
enjoyed very much so and would like to see them return. The audience loved
the performance and were captivated by the performance and they purchased a
nice amount of merchandise as well.
Jasmane Boyd, SUB Performing Arts Director, University of Missouri at Rolla, MO
Performance
Date: Oct.
16, 2007
BrazzTree once again was wonderful. They’re great performers,
and the audience always enjoys them. They’re really laid back
and create a great coffeehouse atmosphere.
Megan O’Brien, Director of Campus Activities , Centre College - Danville, KY
Performance
Date: April
5, 2007
All is well here at Bradley University. Brazz Tree went really well
and lots of students were very impressed wth the show and Brad and
Mazz were great to have perform and to hang out with afterwards.
Ashley Wrobel, ACBU Coffeehouse Coordinator, Bradley University
- Peoria, IL
Performance Date: April 4, 2007
The Brazz Tree show went very well.
We enjoyed having Brad and Mazz on campus. We would definitely invite
them back!
Jackie
Smith, Director of Student Activities, Illinois Central College
– East Peoria, IL
Performance date: March
27th 2007
Brazz Tree was great. They were very
easy to work with and all the students loved their music. It was
a great success!
Kimberly
Thornton , Assistant Director for Student Leadership and Involvement
, Louisiana State University in Shreveport
Performance Date: March 6, 2007
The show went great last night, students really enjoyed their sound
and actually hung out to just sit and listen for quite a while.
Sometimes when we do these coffee nights (we just run a tab at the
counter and people can come and order whatever drink they want)
students will get their goods, hang for about 10 minutes and then
leave. Last night they seemed to stay around. Our VP for Student
Life and VP of Faculty also went too, and they loved it!
Jackie Weber, Director of Student Activities, Westminster College
- Fulton, MO
Performance Date: March 14, 2007
Hi House! Brazz Tree was EXCELLENT! Thank you so much for helping
me to get the show here. Brad and Mazz were extremely professional
and the students were making comments about their amazement at their
musical talent. I heard many students make comments such as “You
can really tell they’re performers”. There were a core
group of students who stayed and watched intently throughout the
show. I talked to Mazz and Brad before the show to tell them about
the atmosphere so I think they were anticipating it, but it’s
always nice if there is a group of students who are there to just
see the show, and there were. All in all, it was a success!
Shannon Chronister, University Of Wisconsin at Marathon County
- Wausau, WI
Performance
Date: March 14, 2007
They were amazing! I have to admit I was a little nervous about
the last minute switch, but I couldn't have been happier. The audience
loved them as well. Brad and Mazz were wonderful to work with -
so laid back!
Brooke Wegner, Director of Student Life, Alverno College - Milwaukee,
WI
Performance
Date: March 7, 2007
It was great! Much better crowd response than most shows. They were
super easy to work with too. Lots of good feedback!
Kelley Pfeiffer, Student Activities Coordinator, SaintCharles
Community College - Cottleville, MO
Performance
Date: March 6, 2007
Brazz Tree worked out perfect for a coffee shop! Unique music, the
students seemed to enjoy it. They were very easy to work with.
Kelly Dye, Student Programmer, Westminster College - Fulton,
MO
Performance
Date: Feb. 26, 2007
They were fantastic, hoping to hook up with them when I go to New
York in a few weeks. How fun, they were great, and I am looking
forward to having Deidra here tomorrow!
Kelly Lewis, Coordinator of Student Activities, Kankakee Community
College - Kankakee, IL
Performance
Date: March 1, 2007
Brazz Tree was great last night, they were a great fit for Starbucks
and Butler. I really enjoyed their sound as did the students who
were there enjoyed themselves. Not only did I like Brazz Tree's
music, but I really liked Brad and Maz's personalities and how they
told stories in between songs. Thank you!
Jenna Widmann, Coffeehouse Co-Chair, Butler University - Indianapolis,
IN
Performance Date: Feb. 21, 2007
Brazz Tree was fantastic! I got a lot of feedback from the audience
wondering where I had gotten them from and asking me to bring them
back. In other words, the audience loved them! Brad and Mazz are
really fun and have great personalities. I was very pleased and
I hope to bring them back to Valpo when I have the chance. T
Ashley Funk, Union Board - Series Programming, Valparaiso University
- Valparaiso, IN
Performance
Date: February 7th, 2007
Students enjoyed their music. So did I! I hope they had a nice visit.
Leigh Davis – Assistant Director of Student Activities
, Queens University, Charlotte, NC
Performance
Date: February 7th, 2007
It went very well...No problems at all.....It was during our dinner
service so it was more of fill music for the crowd....
Michael Porowski – Student Activities Coordinator , Johnson
and Wales University Charlotte, NC
Performance Date: Nov. 21, 2006
This is Janet from Benedictine University. I am the president of
the campus Programming Board, and attended the event at which Brazz
Tree performed with several members of the board, including the
music chair. I loved the duo, and was told by members of the board
that they felt the same way. Not only were the two personable, chatting
before the show and engaging listeners during the show, their music
was great. It was original and fresh, and stuck out from the other
acoustic performers often on campus. I would love to see the two
of them again!
Janet Bilder Programming Board President, Benedictine University
- Lisle, IL
Performance Date: Nov. 10, 2006
The students really had a great time!!! They loved
the interaction and the music they played. It was a real down to
earth Performance. Thanks for letting them come play for us!! :)
Chad Driscoll, CAB President, Saint Ambrose University - Davenport,
IA
Performance Date:
Nov. 9, 2006
Their show was great and they were great people. The audience really
enjoyed their music. Most of the comments I heard were related to
what unbelievable musicians they both were.
Chris Mikkelsen, Assistant Director of Student Life - Normandale
Community College - Bloomington, MN
Performance Date:
Nov. 15, 2006
Everything went very very well with the show, Brad and Mazz where
wonderful to work with and did a great job performing. It started
a little slow like every show but picked up and the crowd really
got into them it was nice to see. As always, its nice working with
you and your performers and I look foward to working with you more
and more.
Colton Pratt, UPB Live at the Quarry Coordinator, Saint Cloud
State University - Saint Cloud, MN
Performance Date:
Nov. 16, 2006
Thank you so much for letting us get Brazz Tree here to perform
at our school. The show went great. We had a very nice turn out
and the students who came had a great time and everyone I talked
to absolutely loved the music! I already had a request for their
information for possibly having them come perform again. It was
wonderful working with you and we hope to again .
Amanda Long, Bud's Place Co-Chair for SAC, Grand View College
- Des Moines, IA
Performance Date:
Nov. 1, 2006
Brazz Tree was awesome. They were very patient while we had some
difficulties with a speaker that was on before them. The audience
really loved their performance. I had people ask during their sound
check if CD's were being sold. They were overall amazing!!
Blair O'Connor Coffeehouse Chair for SAC, Coe College - Cedar
Rapids, IA
CD
Review: "...Quest..."
Quest is the debut release from Brad Hammonds and Mazz Swift. Donning
the moniker Brazz Tree this album is nothing short of innovative,
creative, genre-defying, and every other adjective that you can
use synonymously with AMAZING. Brazz Tree's music is beautiful and
poetic, drawing the listener in deeply and demanding their attention
from the first note to the last. Quest consists of almost only acoustic
guitar (Hammonds), violin, and vocals (both provided by Swift).
Its space is undoubtedly its strength. While many artsy bands go
for an amalgamation of instrumentation, Brazz Tree is content letting
each instrument have room to breathe. "My Blues" is a
highlight here with its eerie and intriguing dynamic as is the beautiful
"Four Elements." Realistically though this is one of those
albums where everything simply and beautifully works together to
create a true album, not just a collection of potential singles.
Although the songs are often outwardly gentle there is an underlying
"never back down" attitude that permeates each one, lending
a very declarative feel to an otherwise exploratory corner of music.
In this way it reminds me a great deal of artists like Peter Gabriel,
Paula Cole, and U2. Brazz Tree is never apologetic and always sounds
like they have the key to the mysteries of life. What more could
you ask for?
Mark Fisher 1340 Magazine
Performance Date:
Sept. 22, 2006
They were really great- more impressive than I remember from their
showcase at NACA in Boston. We had a jazz quartet featuring a Conn
senior open the show which drew a nice crowd. I think we sold about
18 CD’s and considering there were roughly 30-40 or so students
who were present for their set I think that’s a pretty good
sale!
Scott McEver, Director Student Activities- Connecticut College,
New London, CT
Performance date: September 5, 2006
The show was great. The students really enjoyed them.
Megan L. O'Brien, Director of Student Activities, Centre College
Performance
date: September 14, 2006
They
were phenomenal! I hope we can get them back next year!
Kelly
Warren , Coordinator of Student Activities Florida Community College
Kent Campus , Jacksonville, FL
Performance date: August 30, 2007
Brazz Tree was absolutely phenomenal. We had students coming out
of the dining hall so they could hear them better on the patio .
We will definitely have them back to our campus.
Azurdee M. Garland, Program Coordinator, Western
Kentucky University
Performance Date: June 9 & 10,
2006 North By North East - Toronto, Canada
"It's all in the eyes, when lead vox Mazz looks at you with
the divine madness in her gaze reveals information far beyond what
can be expressed through the limited palettes of speech and movement......This
girl is far more trained than half of the NXNE performers combined...Why
Brazz Tree aren't inciting a new revolution in music, I'll never
know."
From a review of their NXNE Showcase in Toronto, Canada,
as it appeared in Chart Attack
Performance Date: May 1, 2006
Everything went Great!!! They seemed pleased and encouraged by their
welcome and the crowd's response. They were very easy to work with.
Sharinda Welton-Peeler, Director Student Activities, University
of Findlay, OH
"Brazz Tree is something you simply must see to understand
fully...think Ella Fitzgerald and Tracy Chapman combined (with a
violin in hand) and a deft guitar to accompany her. Mazz sings smooth
and soul drenched while fiddling classic to Celtic while Brad finger
picks a party on his acoustic guitar."
Jillann Hertel
"A sublime, surprising, bristling and hearty stew of Irish
lyricism, daredevil jazz aerobatics and punk rock moxie.....both
the elegance and the energy are off the chain."
Greg Tate, Village Voice
"A strong debut by a Julliard drop-out and a New York City
jazz guitarist under their assumed name Brazz Tree. Blending Western
and Eastern music influences, "Quest" is a journey through
powerful sounds and transcendental ambience. On the album there's
a marriage of Celtic, Indian, roots rock, jazz, and ambient that
breathes an elegant and esteemed vibe into the nine songs present
on the album. You're not going to hear a more talented duo in a
long time."
smother.net - J-Sin
Interview (back to
top)
Neo:
Please introduce the members of the band.
.Mazz Swift- Violin, Vocals and Brad Hammonds- Guitars met two years
ago and have played with an array of musicians but mainly have kept
it as a duo..for now.
Neo: Tell us why you chose to call
the band Brazz Tree.
Brazz is actually a small town outside of Brussels where Mazz and
I happened to be playing on the street at the same time. I (brad)
was playing Violin (Moto Perpetuo) and Mazz was playing the guitar
and singing some folk tunes...We met each other the following day
and thought it would be fun to switch instruments and jam...we started
to write under a "pico" tree..moved back to NYC the next
year...and thus we have Brazz Tree.
Neo: Any of you guys have to take
on other jobs, or are you able to sustain yourselves doing music?
Mazz sustains herself playing music/shows in the city and quite
often all over the world with an array of projects...and Brad works
in Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at Columbia Presb. Hospital
studying the psychological effects of  exercise and physiology
and most recently neurogenesis...It's pretty interesting
Neo: Who does the song writing? What
is the writing process like for you?
Brad usually will write a guitar line and send it to Mazz where
she will write vocals and/or a string section and we build it from
there...
Neo: How would you explain your sound to those who have not heard
your music?
You really have to listen to the music...It has Rock, Celtic, Roots,
Jazz and Indian elements...percussive, somewhat dark, with a lot
of energy...
Neo: What really separates your music
from that of other people playing similar styles?
I really don't know of anyone playing a similar style.
Neo: What sorts of things do you like
to write about?
(Mazz Answers) Well, I guess the stuff that just naturally flows
out of me that I don't have to think about too hard is usually about
working out some conflict within myself. That and relationships
in general but mostly the one I have with my partner. Lately I have
been a little self conscious about the narcissistic (Brad’s
favorite word!) tendency my lyrics have. I think about Stevie Wonder
and Arol Wulf-Zendik and how they really tend to take the bigger
picture into their lyrics and that’s what I would like to
do. And also have some fun in there too! White Rabbit comes to mind...
Neo: What’s a day of recording like with Brazz Tree
It's a big party...we hired a clown for the last session (says Brad).
I (Mazz) would have to say that there is no such thing as a day
in the studio for Brazz Tree... You would actually have to ask about
the year and a half in the studio!!
Neo: Do you play much live? What’s
the show like?
. at least three times a month. we mix it up and we bring it.
Neo: Are you a very image conscious
band?
. I wouldn't say so. We have done several photo shoots over the
past 2 years and I think they get better and better each time because
we are actually forced to think about what we want to look like
ˆ how we want to present ourselves. But if we hadn’t
done those shoots I don't think we would have thought about it at
all! Funny...
Neo: Are you getting some radio play?
. About 50 AAA stations across the country...It's heating up on
many stations...
Neo: Tell us about any plans for the
future. Any new recording?
. well, we are always thinking about the next cd! We were just talking
about this last night (Mazz is working on a theory): I wonder if
it's a common thing that when a band writes a new song after releasing
a debut album, they're think about how they would record this new
song before they even have the whole song written! Â I find
myself doing that every single time I sit down to write these days.
It's exciting and at the same time totally premature. In other words,
yes, we are thinking about recording, but really we are (as we should
be) gearing up to get out there and promote the cd we just released.
We have SXSW coming up that we're very excited for and are generally
hoping to be traveling for most of 2006 in support of our cd ...QUEST...
Neo: Anything else you would like
to talk about?
No. Just thanks so much for having us at this interview!
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