keep the blues alive

Q&A with talented guitarist Brandon "Taz" Niederauer, performed with some of the most legendary and prominent musicians of our time

"I am very fortunate to have the ability to express myself through music. The intention is for the listener to feel my spirit and emotions through my playing and what is emerging from my soul. It is who I am. It is what I am feeling that day, and in my life experiences. Music is a special part of my life, and is a big part of who I am. I will leave it up to others to decide how it relates to the meaning of their life."

Brandon Niederauer: "Taz" for the Future

Nineteen-year-old Brandon Niederauer, nicknamed “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing, is living proof that dreams really do come true. Having performed in some of the most legendary venues in America with many of the most prominent musicians of our time, the young guitarist, singer, and songwriter has already earned himself quite the reputation. It all started at eight years old, when Brandon watched the movie School of Rock. Already inspired by his father’s record collection, Brandon instantly realized he was destined to play guitar. From that moment on, his guitar rarely left his hands. Just four years later, Brandon was cast in the principal role of guitarist “Zack Mooneyham” in the Tony Award-nominated Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway production, School of Rock the Musical. Based in New York City, Brandon has had the opportunity to play with many of his musical idols. In recent years, he’s shared the stage with multiple members of the Allman Brothers Band, including Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Butch Trucks, and Oteil Burbridge, as well as a variety of other notable musicians, including Buddy Guy, Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga, Slash, Jon Batiste, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Gales, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Dr. John, Gary Clark Jr., Col. Bruce Hampton, George Porter Jr., Robert Randolph, and John Popper. (Photo: Brandon Niederauer)

He has also performed with Tedeschi Trucks Band, The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, The Revivalists, Dumpstaphunk, Blackberry Smoke, Galactic, and countless other bands. In 2018, Brandon reunited with Andrew Lloyd Webber, performing in January with Sarah Brightman at The Phantom of the Opera’s 30th Anniversary celebration, and in April alongside Sara Bareilles, Alice Cooper, and John Legend in NBC’s live broadcast production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Brandon is featured in Spike Lee’s Netflix series, She’s Gotta Have It, and performs concerts for audiences across the country and around the world.

Interview by Michael Limnios Brandon Niederauer, 2013 interview @ blues.gr

How has the Blues and Rock music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I have been playing and performing Blues, and Rock music since I was seven years old. My writing, technique and stage presence has developed as I continue to mature. At nineteen years old, my experience of performing with incredible musicians has had a tremendous influence over my musical development. There were times during the Pandemic that were very difficult and extremely challenging. However, I used the space during lockdown to work on my creativity, practice guitar and write songs. I also used the time to connect with the virtual community via various online platforms. My ability to play and create music for online shows, or be creative in my room really helped me during the shut-down. Regarding education, all throughout high school I had a heavy tour schedule, but I also made education a priority at the advice of my parents. I recently made the decision to continue my education at Yale University. The incredible experiences of being invited to play on many stages with incredible blues and rock artists combined with my thirst for knowledge and desire to improve along with my studies at Yale has shaped my views of the world. I feel very blessed.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music. What has remained the same about your music-making process?

During my early teens, I would grab any impromptu opportunity to hop on stage and play with established artists. I did not realize it then but looking back, I was so excited for the opportunities and eager to play the songs I was not connecting with the audience enough. There has been so much creative growth since that time. My three year experience on Broadway, in School of Rock The Musical, helped me understand that connection. As I started writing and playing my own songs, and re-interpreting the classic Blues and Rock catalog with my band (Brandon Taz Niederauer), I found the ability to really connect with the audience. There is a telepathy that can’t be described, that happens between me as a performer, and the people coming to listen to my music. I am lucky to have found that connection. My playing has also evolved with maturity and practice. I have a deeper understanding of musical theory which has opened new pathways for me to communicate with my playing. In addition, my willingness to take chances during practice, and more importantly on-stage during performances, has helped me grow as an artist. My current project which I am extremely excited about is performing in the band Trouble No More, with my brother Dylan (the bass player), along with our other bandmates Daniel Donato, Lamar Williams Jr., Nikki Glaspie, Roosevelt Collier, Peter Levin and Jack Ryan. Trouble No More is the creative brainchild of my brilliant agent CJ Stock of Mint Talent Group. This band is finding new creative ways to interpret the Allman Brothers Band catalog. Our first show was a complete sell out at the Beacon Theater in New York City. With regards to what has remained the same…practice! practice! practice! (Photo: Brandon Niederauer)

"I learned that hard work breeds success if you are consistent, committed and disciplined. Passion, integrity, grit, purpose, courage, resilience and focus also helps. I don’t think that there is one right way to attain a goal. What works for someone may not work for me. I pray a lot over my decisions."

What's the balance in music between technique and soul? Where does your creative drive come from?

Listening to the legends and learning from the masters as well as my mentors continue to inspire my creativity and my technique. I think soul is somewhat innate. For me, it's a feeling, a resounding energy from within. This soulful energy is sometimes triggered by the feedback I receive from the audience I am performing for. The balance in music between technique and soul can simply be characterized as rigorously working hard every day to improve technique, while soul is a deep feeling from within. I am inspired by so many soulful artists such as Derek Trucks, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, Jon Batiste, Miles Davis, Warren Haynes, John Legend, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Ray Vaughan and many others. Technique comes from learning and practicing consistently with extreme focus. When there is a synergy between technique and soul you have passion. For example, one B.B. King note can evoke more emotion than ten notes played during the same measure. My drive comes from my desire to create art and express myself through my playing as well as connecting with the people who come to see me play and hear my music. I am entirely grateful to everyone.

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your career so far?

This is a very difficult question because there are so many. The first time I played for an audience at a music performance program in my hometown called Rock and Roll University run by Bill Mignoli when I was about 8 years old instilled in me the desire to perform live. In addition, appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres show at ten years old and then receiving a phone call from Gregg Allman who watched me on The Ellen show was incredible. That phone call led to a mentoring relationship with him and continued when I would visit him backstage after his performances. Performing live six nights a week on Broadway in Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock The Musical, performing in Jesus Christ Superstar Live on NBC, and The Phantom Of The Opera 30th Anniversary Show, were all incredible moments that changed my life forever. Being invited by Jon Batiste to perform on the Stephen Colbert TV show, appearing in Spike Lee’s Netflix series She's Gotta Have it, playing at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, mentoring kids and performing live at my mother’s birthplace of St-Lucia, in the Caribbean are a few of the proud moments that I am truly grateful for. Meeting, playing and being mentored by Col. Bruce Hampton was a major highlight. Being embraced or playing with many major guitarists and musicians including Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Derek Trucks, Jon Batiste, John Mayer, Butch Trucks, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., and many others, are all major highlights for me. Another interesting highlight was when I had the pleasure of meeting John McLaughlin, one of the best guitarists ever to come out of Europe. I was introduced to him in New York City after his show in 2018. He leaned over and gave me two words of advice, “Be Ferocious”, I will always remember that.

"I have been playing and performing Blues, and Rock music since I was seven years old. My writing, technique and stage presence has developed as I continue to mature. At nineteen years old, my experience of performing with incredible musicians has had a tremendous influence over my musical development." (Photos: Brandon Niederauer with BB King, Gregg Allman, Dr. John & Gary Clark Jr.)

Are there any memories from Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, and Dr. John, which you’d like to share with us?

Gregg Allman spoke to me about humility and the importance of helping other musicians one night at a dinner in New York City. There was a major blizzard in New York that night. However, he kept his commitment and met me for dinner. I am still so grateful for that meeting. At that dinner Gregg asked me to play with The Gregg Allman Band in Daytona Beach Florida. I was ten years old.

One night, I went to a Buddy Guy concert in NYC, and he saw me in the audience. He asked me on stage to join him to play. I did not have my guitar with me. I went to the show with the intention of learning from a master. He handed me one of his guitars and allowed me to continue the show with his band, and I played while he watched. That was amazing and truly incredible.

I played with the legendary Dr. John in New Orleans at Tipatina’s during Jazz Fest. I got to spend some time with him in the green room before the show. He gave me the song we would play. When we got on stage things suddenly changed. We played the song he mentioned but when I started to leave the stage, he waved me back and we played a fifteen minute version of my favorite Dr. John song, ‘I Walk on Guilded Splinters’. A truly incredible moment in my life!!!!!!

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

There is constant interplay between culture and society. Social media has magnified and sped up that interplay and now societal norms are always changing. I feel social media is necessary for our culture and generation. I see it all and try to separate the shaft from the grain. It’s all there and you have to decide what content to absorb. I use social media to mostly follow music and sports. However, I also find new ideas, peek at fashion and glance at influencers. I plan on utilizing the socials as a platform for my music, so I have to stay connected somewhat. My hope is that music, no matter the genre, can be a personal choice for people of all ages to listen to and interpret for themselves. Choose your own path, have a clear purpose, listen well, stay focused, learn a lot, and try to figure out what’s best for you. (Photo: Brandon Niederauer)

"Listening to the legends and learning from the masters as well as my mentors continue to inspire my creativity and my technique. I think soul is somewhat innate. For me, it's a feeling, a resounding energy from within. This soulful energy is sometimes triggered by the feedback I receive from the audience I am performing for. The balance in music between technique and soul can simply be characterized as rigorously working hard every day to improve technique, while soul is a deep feeling from within."

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

I learned that hard work breeds success if you are consistent, committed and disciplined. Passion, integrity, grit, purpose, courage, resilience and focus also helps. I don’t think that there is one right way to attain a goal. What works for someone may not work for me. I pray a lot over my decisions. My mother is always praying for me and my brother Dylan. I am currently writing new music and plan to share some of my experiences through my songs. Choose your own path, keep your goals on the horizon, work hard, and forge ahead with confidence. Don’t look back unless it’s to learn from a lesson. Always look forward. What you learn during the journey is part of the process of how you move forward.

John Coltrane said "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...". How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

Aldous Huxley said “After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music”. I am very fortunate to have the ability to express myself through music. The intention is for the listener to feel my spirit and emotions through my playing and what is emerging from my soul. It is who I am. It is what I am feeling that day, and in my life experiences. Music is a special part of my life, and is a big part of who I am. I will leave it up to others to decide how it relates to the meaning of their life.

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