Brother Spellbinder is an inter-generational band that has grown into a bicoastal collective also known as Spellbinder Orchestra. Incorporating elements of folk, eastern European, world, classical and rock, their shows are lively and theatrical, with intricate arrangements that move from rousing and joyful to thoughtful and dreamy. The band is a regular at San Francisco Free Folk Festival and has played at Burning Man Decompression, Sonoma County Fair, and Edwardian Ball.
The Brother Spellbinder repertoire grew from Alzara Getz's voice and songwriting which have been called poetic, whimsical, soulful. As the daughter of rock drummer, Dave Getz, original drummer of Big Brother & The Holding Co. and Nancy Baysinger, one of the first female recording engineers in the San Francisco bay area, Alzara developed an early passion for musical expression. Her day job as a therapist is a source of inspiration for lyrics that flow from the uncensored mythical realm of the human psyche to the here and now of human experience. She formed Brother Spellbinder with guitarist Jamie Wilson. Wilson was raised on roots music since he was a wee pup, as his mother touted him to bluegrass jams and high mountain music festivals. He is an early graduate of School of the Arts that spawned the likes of Margaret Cho and Sam Rockwell, and adds a dollop of gristle on vocals. Spellbinder weaves rare and nostalgic covers from the 1920s, 30s and onwards into their sets, adding their own magical stamp.
Spellbinder Orchestra West:
In addition to Alzara and Jamie, the west coast camp consists of core member Steve La Porta, music teacher and member of many local groups including the Chinese orchestra, Jamie Clark band and Romana Vieira. He steers the songs with creative marches, world beats and joyful vibrations. Another early member, violinist and vocalist Steve Bollhoefer, enthralls the audience with his strong tenor vocals and playful improvs on violin. You might catch the occasional tap dance. Rotating lead guitarists Sean Griffin and Andy Charmatz take the music to a new level with virtuoso guitar licks and ambient effects. Lower registers may be shared by cellist Gabriel Beistline, member of The Santa Rosa Symphony, Merced Symphony, cellist and singer/songwriter Helena Tietze, daughter of St. Mary's cathedral choir director and a classical organist, Oakland native and former bandleader Jim Taylor on fretless bass, Shawn Miller of Voodoo Dolly, Braun Fellinis, & Static People on Upright. You may also catch rotating violinist Lee Corbie Wells, a member of legendary Irish group Tempest signing in Greek, Norwegian, or Swedish and shining on violin.
Spellbinder Orchestra East
Primarily on the east coast now, Alzara plays with cellist Cornelia Logan, a Hudson Valley native, who has played with Mamalama and Free River band. Experimental and electronic artist Chris O'Driscoll keeps it organic and driving on acoustic guitar. Bassist and songwriter Joe Pierog of The Library band keeps a mean rhythm on upright bass. You may catch Kate Hudson of Big Brother & the Holding company on violin. Everyone sings!!
Brother Spellbinder enjoys playing in a variety of settings and configurations, including with handmade archival film projection.
The Brother Spellbinder repertoire grew from Alzara Getz's voice and songwriting which have been called poetic, whimsical, soulful. As the daughter of rock drummer, Dave Getz, original drummer of Big Brother & The Holding Co. and Nancy Baysinger, one of the first female recording engineers in the San Francisco bay area, Alzara developed an early passion for musical expression. Her day job as a therapist is a source of inspiration for lyrics that flow from the uncensored mythical realm of the human psyche to the here and now of human experience. She formed Brother Spellbinder with guitarist Jamie Wilson. Wilson was raised on roots music since he was a wee pup, as his mother touted him to bluegrass jams and high mountain music festivals. He is an early graduate of School of the Arts that spawned the likes of Margaret Cho and Sam Rockwell, and adds a dollop of gristle on vocals. Spellbinder weaves rare and nostalgic covers from the 1920s, 30s and onwards into their sets, adding their own magical stamp.
Spellbinder Orchestra West:
In addition to Alzara and Jamie, the west coast camp consists of core member Steve La Porta, music teacher and member of many local groups including the Chinese orchestra, Jamie Clark band and Romana Vieira. He steers the songs with creative marches, world beats and joyful vibrations. Another early member, violinist and vocalist Steve Bollhoefer, enthralls the audience with his strong tenor vocals and playful improvs on violin. You might catch the occasional tap dance. Rotating lead guitarists Sean Griffin and Andy Charmatz take the music to a new level with virtuoso guitar licks and ambient effects. Lower registers may be shared by cellist Gabriel Beistline, member of The Santa Rosa Symphony, Merced Symphony, cellist and singer/songwriter Helena Tietze, daughter of St. Mary's cathedral choir director and a classical organist, Oakland native and former bandleader Jim Taylor on fretless bass, Shawn Miller of Voodoo Dolly, Braun Fellinis, & Static People on Upright. You may also catch rotating violinist Lee Corbie Wells, a member of legendary Irish group Tempest signing in Greek, Norwegian, or Swedish and shining on violin.
Spellbinder Orchestra East
Primarily on the east coast now, Alzara plays with cellist Cornelia Logan, a Hudson Valley native, who has played with Mamalama and Free River band. Experimental and electronic artist Chris O'Driscoll keeps it organic and driving on acoustic guitar. Bassist and songwriter Joe Pierog of The Library band keeps a mean rhythm on upright bass. You may catch Kate Hudson of Big Brother & the Holding company on violin. Everyone sings!!
Brother Spellbinder enjoys playing in a variety of settings and configurations, including with handmade archival film projection.
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Edwardian Ball
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