Redtail Hawk’s music has been praised for taking on many forms, exceeding the limitations of conventional norms. Band members Ben Zanfagna, Alex Sandman, Mike Gruen and Brett Bashaw are keenly aware of their unique sound. The versatility of their recordings presents artists on a quest – exploring new and old musical expressions. Drawing from a set of worldly experiences, studies and travels, their music poignantly fuses indie rock, jazz and reggae, while emphasizing the craft of songwriting.

The four musicians grew up together in Newburyport, MA and music was part of their lives from early on. Ben began piano and dance at age six, and quickly took to the saxophone, vocals and his primary writing tool, guitar. Alex started saxophone in the same fourth grade class, and soon applied his skills to the guitar. Mike played all strings acoustic and electric, later taking to the upright bass. Brett began playing drums at age twelve, spending hours in the chair. In middle and high school, Ben, Alex and Mike played together in school ensembles.

After graduating high school, the musicians went their separate ways, each playing with nationally touring acts and bands on major record labels. Lead singer, writer, multi-instrumentalist, Zanfagna, studied government and music in college, traveled extensively with his instruments, co-wrote and toured with a national act, then returned home to house sit an estate where he lived and wrote for two and a half years.

Upon returning home Ben began playing music with his father, Doc Zig, a musician in his own right, who had been an early inspiration for Ben. While working with his father, Ben invited childhood friend, Mike, to join in at jam sessions. Mike had studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and at Jeff Berlin's Academy of Bass. His musical prowess, and style greatly expanded the possibilities for the father son duo. When Doc Zig was unable to partake, Mike and Ben started practicing on their own, playing and writing together regularly.

Then Alex, cousin of late, great Morphine frontman, Mark Sandman, also returned to Newburyport after spending time touring with a band signed to Wind-up Records. He and Ben reconnected and the two began writing and performing together. Inevitably Ben, Alex and Mike reunited, and began collaborating on new and old material.

As the trio began the search for a drummer, they discovered that Brett was back in the area He had been playing professionally since 2006. Brett proved to be a great addition to the group, and thus, Redtail Hawk was spawned.

This past year Redtail Hawk has been busy, performing on the East Coast of the USA and recording their self titled EP, an exhilarating and eclectic collection that spans genres, and eludes typical recording industry labels.

Zanfagna on Redtail Hawk: "We are a new band comprised of four young men who have previously played in nationally touring acts and bands on major record labels. Now we are home reconnecting and creating. The result is a culmination of worldly experiences...We are grateful to one another. It is a rare artistic collaboration and the ceiling is much higher because of this." Redtail Hawk is presently in pre-production for it’s first full length release.

2012 Red Tail Hawk music and content belongs to Making Music Medicine Productions, registered with BMI and the Library of Congress, all rights reserved. Unauthorized reuse is a violation of the law.