The Fitzmaurice Band is an up and coming band based out of Bowie, MD playing the entire spectrum of bluegrass, from the traditional high and lonesome sounds of Bill Monroe to comtemporary acoustic music.
Information
- Members:
- Twenty year old identical twin sisters, Maria and Sarah Fitzmaurice, founded the Fitzmaurice Band in late 2006. Their combined voices, lending themselves towards country and blues, blend together in sibling harmony that listeners cannot help but be overcome by. The power and emotion with which Maria sings conveys emotion at a level unheard of among even the most seasoned of pros, and Sarah's soaring soprano speaks directly to one's heart. Upon starting the band, both girls realized the importance of being able to play as well as sing, and subsequently chose instruments to begin studying. Maria took up the guitar and Sarah the mandolin. As the band began picking up momentum, Sarah saw that having two mandolins in the group was unnecessary, and when they found themselves without a bassist she immediately switched. After only a short time with their respective instruments, both girls have found themselves being recognized not only for their vocals but also for their playing, which forms the platform on which the boys of the band can so easily launch into their own esoteric reveries while being confident of the fact that they will return to a rhythmic drive that is unalterable. Maria has also become the driving force behind the band's embracement of original music, having already written numerous songs and continually producing more.
Brandon, a Virginia native and founding member of the Fitzmaurice Band, began playing mandolin at the age of 8, and by 16 was also playing guitar and banjo. His truly unique approach to the mandolin is a direct result of his musical tastes, ranging from George Jones to Nickel Creek to the Fray. His phenomenal speed and agility, combined with the wonder of string bending, makes his playing reminiscent of a rock guitarist. In addition to his playing, he supplies all male lead vocals for the Fitzmaurice Band, and does so with the air of an alt-rock singer. All in all, Brandon is a traditional country music loving rock star placed into the setting of an acoustic bluegrass quintet. Brandon proudly endorses Hill Mandolins.
Mike is also a Virginia native and the great nephew of bluegrass giant Bill Yates. Having grown up with bluegrass music running through his blood, he began playing guitar and banjo in his early teens and quickly assimilated the traditional Appalachian sounds. Upon entering college, the banjo got put on a back burner and didn't come back to the forefront until being drafted by close friend Brandon Snellings to become a founding member of the Fitzmaurice Band. His traditional approach to the banjo has since become infused with the modern use of melodic playing, creating a sound unique to himself due to his varied influences.
Aaron was born in Los Angeles, CA. At the age of 7 his father noticed that he had a propensity towards music and arranged for him to receive private instruction. It wasn't long before it was discovered that he had a natural ability on the violin, and by the age of 11 he was composing and playing the viola as well. At the age of 15 he began studying with LA Phil principal violist Evan Wilson and was also invited to attend the prestigious Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, CA, from which he graduated in 1998. After graduating, he spent the summer performing in Holland and Belgium before entering the Manhattan School of Music as a composition major. After spending a period of time at the school studying, he returned to LA as a freelance performing and recording artist, during which time he began serious endeavors into the genres of jazz, blues, world and rock. Through the course of his musical explorations, Aaron has been fortunate enough to work and study with such musical greats as Grammy winning jazz pianist and composer Billy Childs, legendary percussist Alex Acuna, Red Hot Chili Peppers rock superstars Flea and John Frusciante, and has even played under the baton of Henri Mancini. In March of 2009 he joined forces with the Fitzmaurice Band. - Genre:
- Bluegrass, Country, Pop, Progressive
- Hometown:
- Bowie, MD
- Record Label:
- seeking label
Photos
1 albumSee All
Fitzmaurice Band - Promo PicsUpdated about 5 months ago
No one has added fan photos.
Fitzmaurice Band Happy New Year's Eve everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May 2010 bring the granting of your wishes!!
Fitzmaurice Band hey y'all! So, after having to cancel 2 shows this past weekend due to the blizzard, and some of us getting stranded and abandoning cars on the road and all kinds of wonderful chaos, we made it through in one piece and we're gonna be hittin' up the Ramshead tonight to play at the Christmas show! Hope to see y'all the...re, but if not, have a very merry Christmas and God bless you all!
Fitzmaurice Band Hey folks! So yeah, we cancelled our show tonight :-( and Aaron had to abandon his car on the side of Rt 250 and he, Brandon and Maria had to walk 2 miles in this snow storm...and Mike had to abandon his truck too
Fitzmaurice Band Our show is CANCELLED tonight
Fitzmaurice Band is playing at Bel Rio tomorrow night in Charlottesville, VA!! It's gonna be a blast! Hope to see you there!
Fitzmaurice Band ummmmmmmmmmm......our song "California" is #9 on the ourstage.com Premium Channel "Artists on the Verge" for Rock & Pop...
Fitzmaurice Band is playing at Bel Rio in Charlottesville, VA this Friday at 9 pm!! And then at 49 West in Annapolis, MD at 8 pm on Saturday! Come on out y'all! Guaranteed to be a good time and a great way to start off the holidays!! :-)
Fitzmaurice Band hmmmmm...so our song "California" has been selected to be in the ourstage.com premium channel called "Artists on the Verge" ROCK & POP... Fitzmaurice Band = ROCK & POP ? yes. yes it does. So come on out next week to see the world's first all acoustic ROCK & POP band with a banjo! We'll be playing at Bel Rio in Charlo...ttesville on Friday the 18 and 49 West in Annapolis on Saturday the 19th...see you there!
Fitzmaurice Band we won the folk category on ourstage.com for November with California! Over 5,000 plays in one month!
Fitzmaurice Band Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!
Fitzmaurice Band just booked an appearance on the Song of the Mountain series at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, VA which is filmed and aired on over 180 PBS stations nationwide :-)
Fitzmaurice Band just finished a rehearsal, working on some new exciting material!
Fitzmaurice Band Is on the hunt for venues to play in 2010 and looking to reach new areas...any suggestions? Tell us where you want us to play! :-)
RECENT ACTIVITY
Fitzmaurice Band edited their Members and Record Label.
