Published: November 14, 2008 03:06 pm            

Brazz Tree to perform at Central College

When Brad Hammonds answered a Craig’s List ad posted by Mazz Swift for “an acoustic guitar player who didn’t play Irish music and had influences ranging from Jazz to Classical to Metallica,” to perform with her on an Irish gig, he knew this was going to be an interesting experience. On their first meeting, the two discovered their musical and intellectual chemistry expressing a love of Indian fusion derived from artists such as Peter Gabriel and Shakti and socio- spiritual texts by novelists such as Ayn Rand.

This NYC based duo’s sound can only be understood by their backgrounds. Juilliard trained, violinist Mazz Swift, makes up for one half of the beautifully chaotic synergy created in Brazz Tree. After she discovered she needed more freedom than the classical or jazz worlds offered she set out for unlikely outlets for a Juilliard musician: the subways and Irish Pub jam sessions of New York.

Swift’s mastery of the fiddle and raw, distinctive vocals are only matched by Brad Hammonds’ aggressively precise, acoustic guitar work. A Columbia University graduate of their post bac psychology program, Brad has an equally diverse musical background. Growing up listening to grunge and classic rock, Hammonds now cites guitar influences ranging from John Mclaughlin to Ani DiFranco.

Together, the two have created a style of their own, unconfined by any current genre label. Their new album Spiral On, which was featured in Paste Magazine’s ‘Recommends’ section, features their eclectic blend of Celtic, Rock, Folk, Indian and Jazz with a Tribal/Roots twist.

Please join Brazz Tree on November 15th at Central College for an unforgettable performance.

        

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