Brandon ‘Taz’ Niederauer Debuts New Band With Special Guest Macy Gray In New York
By Andy Kahn Dec 9, 2016 • 1:20 pm PST
Teenage guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer debuted a new band he’s fronting last night at The Iridium in New York City. The group’s initial performance was highlighted by a special guest appearance by vocalist Macy Gray who joined in on a holiday classic.
The 13-year-old star of Broadway’s School Of Rock, Taz led a lineup that featured members of the Brooklyn-based group New York Funk Exchange including vocalist Serena Fortier, drummer Kendall Lentz, keyboardist Jamey Zebrack, guitarist Matt Godfrey and bassist Matt Fox, with trumpeter Nick Young guesting on a few tunes. Along with some originals, the collective covered such favorites as Al Green’s “Take Me To The River,” Bill Withers’ “Use Me,” The Band’s “Don’t Do It,” Allen Toussaint’s “Sneaking Sally Through The Alley,” The Allman Brothers Band’s “Whipping Post” (with Taz’s uncle on guitar) Jimi Hendrix’s “Voo Doo Child” and Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City.”
Macy Grey emerged to sit-in on a rendition of “Winter Wonderland.” View her collaboration and many other highlights from The Iridium in the audience-shot videos below.
