The Shirt Tuckin’ Story… Continued
Austin Root got tired of pickin his guitar and singin all on his lonesome, so he called up his two buddies - trumpeter Charlie Schmitt and jazz pianist Zachary Scialla-Williams. These three met at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music - Austin was a world-class classical trombonist studying under Jeremy Wilson, and Charlie and Zach were cutting their teeth in the jazz scene, studying with heavy dudes like Jeff Coffin of the Dave Matthews Band and the other faculty.
Charlie and Zach were baptized into the world of country music, and the Shirt Tuckers were born. This trio runs the show, adopting the classic Steely-Dan model of hiring out the other band members on a case-by-case basis, to fit every single show or recording’s needs perfectly.
This honky-tonkin trio of troubadours hit the scene running - in their first year of operation, they’ve played venues such as The Country Music Hall of Fame, Dee’s Country and Cocktail Lounge, The Underdog, Honky Tonk Tuesday at the Eastside Bowl, Jane’s Hideaway, The Skydeck at Assembly Hall on Broadway, and many other classic Nashville stages.
The Shirt Tuckers have recorded several singles and an album, The Pinker Side Of Orange. A unique facet of the Shirt Tuckers’ recording philosophy is their undying belief in doin’ it LIVE. They record everything in the same room - no punching in, overdubbing, autotune nonsense - LIVE is LIVE. Everything is one take, one night, to capture a magic chemistry that’s uniquely theirs, and to advertise exactly what you’ll hear when you catch them live.
The Shirt Tuckers are managed by Upper Structures, LLC - Zach’s independent record label and umbrella creative consulting business. For corporate inquiries, management can be contacted at upperstructureslabel.com
As an old crooner once said, ‘The Best is Yet To Come’, and this is absolutely the case with The Shirt Tuckers. Catch them in town while ya can, and don’t forget your dancin shoes!
Pictured - the Shirt Tuckers playing at Nelson’s Grienbrier Distillery
Meet the Founders
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Austin Root
VOCALS/ACOUSTIC GUITAR/COMPOSITION
Austin Root is a multitalented musician - In addition to being a superb songwriter, he also happens to be a world class classical trombonist who studied under Jeremy Wilson at the Blair School of Music.
From San Diego, California, Austin’s work strives to bring the sounds of his hometown into his Nashville classic twang.
Austin is currently pursuing his Masters at Vanderbilt’s Peabody School of Education.
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Charlie Schmitt
TRUMPET
Charlie Schmitt is the definition of versatile - being just as comfortable in an orchestra as he is on a jazz bandstand, Charlie has the unique ability to traverse musical worlds with ease. Charlie has been the winner of many competitions, and was recognized even by the best - with living legend Wynton Marsalis awarding him and three peers ‘Outstanding Trumpet Section’ after performing at Lincoln Center’s Jack Rudin Competition. Charlie has gone on State Department tours of Colombia, and has been sent to countries like Cuba to perform classical music with local ensembles. Charlie is a jazz composer, with a book of stylistically distinct bop tunes that are masterfully written. Charlie is from Orlando, Florida.
Charlie is in his senior year at Vanderbilt University, studying Classical Trumpet Performance with a Jazz Concentration.
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Zachary Scialla-Williams
PIANO/KEYBOARDS/COMPOSITION
Zachary Scialla-Williams is a multifaceted musician - classically trained, but prefers popular music styles, like jazz, rock, and country. The sole protege of blind stride-era pianist David Crohan, Zach has explored a love for the Great American Songbook. Zach’s also a prolific composer, with his portfolio containing hundreds of works across all genres and styles. He has also founded a independent record label, Upper Structures LLC, to manage his creative involvements and provide creative consulting services to peers. Zach is from Palm Beach, Florida, but makes a musical migration to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. in the summer to bring his music to some of the most beautiful weddings on the planet.
Zach is in his Junior year at Vanderbilt University doubly studying Cognitive Science and Jazz Piano.
