Hannah Bretz Jazz Ensemble

Professional musicians with poise
The majority (if not all) musicians in this ensemble have four-year music degrees and approach their art with both passion and professionalism. They will be respectful and friendly towards the hosts, guests, and audience at every event. References are available upon request.

Equipment and labor
This ensemble provides all required sound equipment and set and up tear down labor (which requires at least 30 minutes before and after the event). Lighting equipment may be available at an additional cost.

Performance times, set breaks, and refreshments
This ensemble can provide music performance at a minimum of one hour, with a maximum of four hours. Set breaks may be required, depending on the event. If appropriate, food and drink provided by the host for the musicians is appreciated but not required.

Special request tunes
This ensemble can accommodate special requests with at least 30 days advance notice. Additional fee may be required.

Hannah Bretz is a jazz vocalist in Saint Peter, Minnesota. Bretz is inspired by the fusion of classic jazz sounds with modern pop/electronic techniques. Bretz sings jazz with a horn-like quality in the spirit of great vocalists Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday. Her stage presence is energetic and fun, delivering an unforgettable performance every time.

Hannah Bretz earned a BA in Jazz Studies from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She studied with Patricia Barber (voice), Mike Molloy (voice), Andrew Distel (voice), Rob Parton (trumpet, music business), Tito Carillo (trumpet), John McLean (guitar), Tom Garling (trombone, composition), and Scott Mason (bass, piano). She had the opportunity to complete a master class with Kurt Elling, and has shared the stage with Darmon Meader of the New York Voices.

While in Chicago, Bretz was a member of Downbeat Magazine award-winning vocal ensemble, The New Deal. She regularly performed onstage at legendary jazz venues the Jazz Showcase and Fitzgerald's, and was a guest vocalist with Rob Parton's JAZZTECH Big Band.

Bretz was an instructor of classical voice in the Drake University Community School of Music (DUCSOM) in Des Moines, Iowa. During this time she was a regular vocalist with the Steve Charlson Trio at Chuck's Italian Restaurant, and she was the lead vocalist in Des Moines' own infamous cover band, One Nite Stand.

Bretz grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and first fell in love with jazz music while singing in the vocal music department at Valley High School, which earned the first ever GRAMMY® Signature School award in 1999. She was a member of the premier vocal jazz ensemble, Vocalese, Valley Singers, and A Capella Choir. Bretz is an alumni of the Iowa All-State Jazz Choir (2001), Iowa Ambassadors of Music European Tour (2000), Iowa All-State Music Festival (Chorus, multiple years), and a competing vocalist in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). She studied classical voice under Leanne Freeman-Miller at Drake University. Bretz is honored to have been a student of Jim Cacciatore, who inspired her to pursue music as a profession.

Jazz vocalist Hannah Bretz comes by her talent naturally. The granddaughter of a classical organist and singer, Hannah Bretz says that music is a language she learned to speak at an early age. Hannah took that early appreciation of music and ran with it.

From dancing to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' at age two, to wearing out multiple Ella Fitzgerald CDs as a teenager, Hannah Bretz's musical background is as varied as it is eclectic.

Bretz feels that her teachers at the Chicago College of Performing Arts also opened doors for her musically. "The incredible musicians at CCPA taught me to fall in love with Latin Jazz and the Portuguese language. Now, I frequently include multiple languages in my performances." I feel that the wonderful and exotic experiences I've gained traveling the world have translated into a more diverse musical repertoire.

Bretz says she is inspired by combining jazz techniques and styles with modern musical works. She really enjoys listening to artists who incorporate technology into their music like M83, Daft Punk, Radiohead, and Bjork. Bretz hopes to work with local musicians on a project to repurpose some of these modern artists' tunes in a jazz style for live performances.

We require a flat, clear space of approximately 10 feet by 15 feet, but can be flexible.