behind the band
Hailing from NYC, Hazel Gaze is comprised of musicians from diverse backgrounds ranging from recording & touring to Broadway pits to classically-trained Conservatories to bars and clubs - all wrapped up in rock 'n roll goodness!
Blending 90s influences from The Black Crowes, Lenny Kravitz and Soundgarden to 70s icons such as Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie along with their love of blues, soul and vocal harmonies into a diverse, modern sound the press describes as: "a force to be reckoned with on the indie rock scene”; “a band that can make any Friday night come alive” and “infusing a modern edge, creating fresh and empowering anthems that resonate with listeners today.”
The band is back with their sophomore release co-produced by Grammy-winning Producer / Engineer Daniel Alba (Jack White, Tom Morello, Norah Jones) and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Oscar Zambrano (Sting, Justin Timberlake), Hazel Gaze is eagerly anticipating bringing their new music to NYC-area stages.
Lead Vocals
Hanz
Hanz has an extensive list of credentials. He was lead vocalist of the band ZToyz, who saw initial success via MTV's "Basement Tapes" competition with their video "Miami Breakdown" and who later recorded their debut album for a subsidiary of Enigma Records. Hanz was a vocalist in the touring company of Dee Snider's Van Helsing's Curse and recorded an album with NYC-based rock band 61/49. Most recently, he was a vocalist, Emcee, and scriptwriter for the Halloween Horror Rock Ensemble "I Am Scarecrow".
His reply when asked to describe his vocal style: "what you think a voice would sound like from years of late nights of drunken sex after singing with loud bands in smoky underground bars." Hanz is so badass, he doesn't need a last name.
Guitars / Keys / Vocals
Russ Soper
A longstanding presence on the NYC-music scene, Russ has been playing in bands for decades - writing, recording and performing in iconic NYC venues. As the band's primary songwriter, producer and audio engineer, Hazel Gaze has enabled Russ to leverage his passion for music and technology.
Russ is a technology executive (how rock' roll.. I know) and former Chairman of The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (www.bkcm.org), a non-profit providing Music Therapy and Education to thousands of New Yorkers.
When not locked away in his music studio making noise and aggravating neighbors, Russ spends his time serving at the will of his wife and daughter, while doing his very best to control his "GAS" (guitar acquisition syndrome)!
Keys / Vocals
Mary Jo Verruto
Mary Jo is a trained teaching artist, actor, singer, musician, playwright, and solo performer. A self-proclaimed "jack-ess of many trades", she spent her early years in New York performing standup, improv, off-off Broadway, and even a stint as a scream queen in a horror flick (don't ask her what it's called - she'll never tell you). She then spent her early years of motherhood as a children's performer, dragging her daughter and guitar from coffee shop to coffee shop a la Juliette Binoche in Chocolat. As her baby grew, so did her teaching artist career, and she joined the faculty of the Brooklyn Conservatory.
Mary Jo currently teaches piano and audition coaching, and is a musical director at Brooklyn Children's Theatre. NJ's solo-show-turned musical play #minetoo premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022. This is her first time in a band, so please be gentle.
Drums
spiros arnakis
Spiros has performed in the NY tri-state area since the mid-80’s with a variety of local and visiting international musical acts. Having also lived in Europe and the Caribbean, Spiros performed diverse styles of music ranging from world music to classical ensemble, Latin, jazz, blues, pop, however his main influences are deeply rooted in classic rock.
Bass
konrad payne
A fixture on the NYC music scene, Konrad has played in venues across NYC from Brooklyn Bowl to Off-Broadway. He's recorded for a host of artists in a wide variety of styles. Heavily influenced by old-school funk, British new wave and post-punk, Konrad brings his groove-based sensibility to Hazel Gaze. He can also be seen playing in Hummer, a killer Smashing Pumpkins tribute band, and Eggs Benatar, Gowanus' premier Pat Benatar tribute band.
Konrad studied at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (www.bkcm.org), where he currently serves as a member of the school's Advisory Council.
Vocals / Percussion
Grace holmes
Grace Holmes is an NYC based vocalist with Sunday Girl (Blondie tribute), Dream of the Archer (Heart tribute), and The New York Belles (all female acapella group). She also provides backup vocals for rock band Hazel Gaze, singer songwriter Natalie Livingston, and Stevie’s Blue Lamp (Stevie Nicks tribute). Additionally, she has worked as lead singer for party/event bands such as Wood Vibrations, The Femmes, and Adele’s Belles.
Vocals / Percussion
Nicole Riolo
Nicole, also known as “Riolo,” is a born and raised New Yorker with a deep love for her "Upstate" roots. Her childhood was heavily influenced by a mix of artists like the Eagles, James Taylor, Sara Bareilles, Gwen Stefani, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Stacie Orrico. She took on just about any performance opportunity, from leading roles in school-run productions of “The Wiz”, “Spelling Bee”, and “Into the Woods”, and singing in acapella groups. Once accepted into Berklee College of Music, she immersed herself in jazz standards from the greats like Ella, Nina, and Sarah Vaughan combined with a newfound love for singing R&B/soul and alternative indie music by acts like Chaka Khan, ZZ Ward, and Lianne La Havas.
Outside of her studies and perfecting jazz "stank face", she honed her skills in managing and promoting local Boston talent. Presently, Riolo professionally thrives as a Producer in the sync & music licensing space, helping provide music for major brand commercials, and is thrilled to be regularly singing again in joining Hazel Gaze.