Live Streams: Brandon "Taz" Niederauer @ Levon Helm Studios

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Brandon "Taz" Niederauer @ Levon Helm Studios

The great guitarist Brandon "Taz" Niederauer is getting down tonight at Levon Helm Studios. 

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To get in the mood here is Taz shredding it: 

Live Review: Shorty Fest 5/1/14 NO, LA

Shorty Fest

5/1/14

Generations Hall, New Orleans, LA

For the 2nd Annual Shorty Fest the crowd lined up early. Word must have spread after last years excellent show that you don't want to miss a note. Opening things up as fans filled into Generations Hall the sweet sounds of The New Breed Brass Band got dancing feet moving in the courtyard. The band went through classics like "Go To The Mardi Gras" in their own style, fans and musicians who were playing later all mingled and enjoyed.

The show highlight on this night came early and in the young form of Brandon "Taz" Niederauer. Dominating the Young Blues Showdown. Taz played one tune, a cover of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" that had people screaming and holding up rows of cellphones to capture the moment. Taz has been an Internet sensation for his guitar playing, on this night his singing was on the same exceedingly high level, a pure whirlwind "what the hell was that!" moment.

Music was moving and flowing like clockwork as some students of the Trombone Shorty Foundation joined Cha Wa to get funky on the brass. The Soul Rebels held court and got people dancing with a mega medley based around Daft Punks "Get Lucky". The legend Dr. Lonnie Smith joined some of the Foundation's players to showcase the young and old talents before the headliner started.   

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue clearly love this show and look forward to it all year. That said the set list sticks pretty close to the songs people paying top notch for tickets will know. "For True" got a good reaction and "Hey" had the easy sing along going as well as the hands in the air and hips shaking.

Like last year a surprise special guest was the highlight, this time the legend Fred Wesley joined the band for some trombone playing as well as singing his tune "House Party". It was clear that Shorty was giddy to have an idol of his on stage with him, trading off verses, horn runs and dance moves.

A joy to be a part of a new generation toasted an elder statesman as a younger 3rd era of students reaped the financial rewards so they can blow funky in the future.
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This is a great part of Jazzfest for us to participate in the last 2 years, giving money to a great cause and seeing an amazing night of music...what more can you ask for? Here's to year 3 in 2015. More info on the foundation is here and you can watch some video below:

New Single from Brandon "TAZ" Niederauer "Say Something"

The Long Island, NY based Brandon "TAZ" Niederauer has released his first single "Say Something". RtBE have been following TAZ for a very long time now as he showed up as a young guitar prodigy on the jamband scene and we first caught him over a decade ago. 

He is all grown up and his first single "Say Something" is a pop rock effort, heavy on synths, check it out below:

 

Live Streams: Justice Comes Alive

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Justice Comes Alive

Earlier this month the Quarantine Comes Alive stream helped out artists and charities, now the focus turns to social justice and police reform. This benefit is vital to help support the change that is needed and long overdue and a great lineup supports the just cause:

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@justicecomesalive is a one-day, donation-based virtual music festival harnessing the power of music to bring about collective change in response to racial inequality, produced by @liveforlivemusic in partnership with @nugsnet and @plus1org. The event will feature 50+ artists performing brand new sets throughout the day, streamed across multiple platforms on 6/28 beginning at 12 ET. . Donations generated from the event will benefit the PLUS1 For Black Lives Fund, which includes organizations such as @eji_org, @impactjustice, and @bailproject, as well as local Black and Indigenous-led grassroots organizations combating racism. We're also proud to partner with @headcountorg in their mission to encourage voter participation. . The event will be hosted by Robert Sput Searight, Nikki Glaspie, Nigel Hall, James Casey and Ari Fink, and feature artist-to-artist conversations throughout the day. . Donate any amount and receive links to watch on the day of the show. Link in bio.

A post shared by Justice Comes Alive (@justicecomesalive) on Jun 22, 2020 at 9:01am PDT

To get ready for the event here is Brandon "Taz" Niederauer - Where I Belong - 9/7/19 Blues & Brews Festival - Lowell, MA

Warren Haynes Christmas Jam Announces Lineup for 2017

Every year one of the hardest working men in rock and roll puts on a dynamite show in Asheville, NC. This year is no exception as Warren Haynes recently announced the lineup for the 29th Annual Christmas Jam on December 9th.

This should be a great night of music and guest sit in's as everyone from Trey to Taz will be on hand to play with Haynes and crew. Each year the show gets taped and released so if you can't make it to Asheville on the 9th fear not, a tapper will have your back (or ears I guess).

Until then, enjoy some of these acts live on the internet:

Guitar Guys Get After it in Central Park

Axe slinging fans must have rejoiced as Gary Clark Jr. played Central Park last night. As a special treat he brought out a fast rising star to join him. Our man Brandon Niederaur joined Clark to get down and rock out.

We wrote about Brandon when we covered Shorty Fest this year as he was the clear highlight. Watch him steal the show yet again this time on Clark's own "Bright Lights"

Thanks Loren for sending this along. Niederaur is a fantastic talent, as we also know Clark's pretty damn great live as well, but keep an eye on Taz.

Sazerwrap Part 2: The Music

The Sazerwrap has been the @RockBodyElec way of rounding up all the amazing things that happen down at our annual trip to Jazzfest in New Orleans.  We will breaking the review up into two parts, Food and Music, today is the Music.  Only 11 Months until next years festival!

It has been a few years, but RtBE is bringing back the Sazerwrap for the 50th Anniversary of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This is our 11th straight year of catching the fest and needless to say each year is magic. The trips keep evolving as does the festival and city which hosts it. Today we will chat about the tunes we heard and shows we saw.