Brandon "Taz" Niederauer (born March 16, 2003) is an American guitarist and actor from Dix Hills, New York. He starred in the musical School of Rock on Broadway. Nicknamed 'Taz' by his guitar teacher, William Mignoli, because his frenetic playing reminded Mignoli of the Tazmanian Devil from Looney Tunes cartoons,[1] he has appeared on many television shows including: The Ellen Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Good Morning America, The View, and She's Gotta Have It.[2]
Brandon Niederauer | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 16, 2003 |
| Other names | Taz |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, actor |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Website | www |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Brandon "Taz" Niederauer - "My Revival" - CME Session |
Career
editNiederauer starred on Broadway in School of Rock the Musical.[3] Before he was 15 years old he had played guitar with Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga[4] and Buddy Guy.[5][6] He played with the German rock band Scorpions. During a 2017 birthday celebration for musician Col. Bruce Hampton, Niederauer was playing a guitar solo on stage when Hampton suddenly collapsed and died. Nobody knew the quirky Hampton had actually died, and so the show continued for several minutes: Hampton was eventually taken backstage and then taken away by ambulance and pronounced dead.[7]
In 2018, he garnered widespread attention over a tweet of himself playing the National Anthem on guitar.[8] He also performed guitar in the orchestra in Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.[9]
He has since performed the National Anthem on guitar at Wrigley Field before a Chicago Cubs baseball game in 2019,[10] as well as during the opening ceremonies of the 2020 AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 24, 2021.[11]
In 2021, he enrolled as an undergraduate at Yale University, where he is an economics major.[12][13]
Acting
edit- In 2015, he played the role of Zack in School of Rock the Musical on Broadway.[14]
- In 2016, he played the role of Bartholomew in the movie, Here Comes Rusty.
- In 2019 he played the role of Virgil in Spike Lee’s Netflix series, She’s Gotta Have It.[4]
Signature guitar
editD'Angelico Guitars released a signature Brandon “Taz” Niederauer model of their Atlantic guitar.[15]
References
edit- ^ Annunziata, Maddi (2 July 2019). "Cortland Main Street Music Series Brings In Brandon "Taz" Niederauer, Enter The Haggis & More". nysmusic. NYS Music. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "15-year-old guitar virtuoso Brandon 'Taz' Niederauer shreds at Jazz Cafe in Plains on Dec. 7". nepascene. NEPA Scene. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ MOSER, JOHN J. (20 March 2019). "REVIEW: Teen guitarist 'Taz' Niederauer makes Ardmore Music Hall crowd listen, Ghost-Note makes it move". The Morning Call. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ a b Novsak, Jessica (19 September 2018). "Teen musician, Netflix actor Taz Niederauer brings his guitar to The Ridge". All Times Publishing, LLC. Syracuse New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ O'Brien, Andrew (30 July 2018). "Buddy Guy Invites 13-Year-Old Brandon 'Taz' Niederauer To Play With Him In NYC [Watch]". liveforlivemusic. Live For Music. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ Dickens, Tad (15 December 2017). "Young guitar rocker Brandon 'Taz' Niederauer balances music and school". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "Musician collapses and dies on stage at birthday concert". CBS Interactive Inc. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ Ellis, Josh (14 December 2018). "15-year-old Brandon Niederauer performs incredible rendition of national anthem before Sixers game". Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, L.P. NBC Sports. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ Whitehouse, Beth (2 April 2018). "Dix Hills teen Brandon 'Taz' Niederauer plays in NBC's 'Jesus Christ Superstar'". Newsday. Newsday. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ Bernstein, Scott. "Brandon 'Taz' Niederauer Performs National Anthem At Wrigley Field". Jambase. JamBase Inc. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ Thomson, Rex (3 November 2019). "Watch Andy Frasco Welcome Brandon "Taz" Niederauer, Lyle Divinsky At Wild Hulaween 2019 Set [Videos]". liveforlivemusic.com. L4LM. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ DaRosa, Andrew (19 July 2021). "Broadway star among newest students of Yale University". New Haven Register. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ^ Browne, David (4 December 2022). "The Future of Classic Rock Tours: One or Two Surviving Members…or None?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ^ MILLER, JARED T. "HE WILL ROCK YOU". No. 12 December 2015. Newsweek. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "D'Angelico Guitars Releases Signature Brandon "Taz" Niederauer Atlantic". premierguitar. Premier Guitar. Retrieved 13 September 2019.