A “small but mighty” vocalist, Hannah Bretz is currently performing jazz, blues and other musical genres in the Omaha, Nebraska and Des Moines, Iowa areas. She performs with an electrically bright sound and a horn-like quality that is reminiscent of such vocal greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan. Her stage presence is energetic and fun, delivering an entertaining and unforgettable performance every time.
At age 16, Bretz performed in the Puccini opera Gianni Schicchi with the renowned baritone, Elias Mokole. She was a soloist for the Iowa Ambassadors of Music performing a variety of world and American music selections for European audiences in London, Paris, Austria, Germany, and the St. Marks Basilica in Venice, Italy. At age 17, Bretz was a soloist in the Iowa All-State Jazz Choir directed by Dr. Stephen Zegree of Western Michigan University.
Hannah Bretz moved to Chicago in 2002 to pursue a musical education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and studied with Chicago jazz musicians Rob Parton, Tito Carillo, Mike Molloy, Patricia Barber, Tom Garling, Scott Mason and Andrew Distel. In April of 2005, Bretz published an article on jazz education in the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Illinois Newsletter.
Ms. Bretz has performed with a number of accomplished artists in the music world. She performed with internationally renowned vocalist/saxophonist Darmon Meader of the acclaimed New York Voices. Hannah Bretz was a member of the popular vocal jazz ensemble Vocalese and the two-time Downbeat Magazine award-winning The New Deal. In 2004, Bretz was the featured vocalist for the CCPA Lab Band at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival. She has also been seen performing with Rob Parton’s JAZZTECH Big Band at Fitzgerald’s. An experienced small group jazz singer, Bretz has performed with and arranged music for the CCPA ensembles Verve and Dreamland and has appeared at many Chicago venues, including the legendary Jazz Showcase.
Bretz returned to her hometown of Des Moines in 2007 and has performed at many esteemed venues including the Governor’s Mansion at Terrace Hill, the Salisbury House, The Embassy Club at 801 Grand, and the Jon Anderson White Riverboat on the Des Moines River. Hannah also served as a musical ambassador to the community through her role as a Teaching Artist in the Drake University Community School of Music.
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