The Band
The Giving Tree Band is a Chicago-based group of multi-instrumentalists. Their songs are filled with passionate lyrics, intricate vocal harmonies, and interesting musical arrangements influenced by the group's diverse backgrounds in rock and roll, jazz, and classical music. Described as orchestral folk, their all-acoustic sound is always exploring new territory as the quartet continues to learn how to play more and more instruments (currently around a dozen). Using songwriting and performing as a vehicle for community service, the band’s mission is to inspire a culture of sustainability and peace. The Giving Tree Band peform with instruments that have been reused or built from naturally fallen trees and reclaimed woods, and their music is produced with renewable energy and packaged with 100% recycled materials. 

The Giving Tree Band supports numerous charities and eco-friendly organizations with their concerts and recordings including Hand In Hand USA, World Vision, One: The Campaign To Make Poverty History, Co-op America, Global Exchange, Action Without Borders, Literacy Works, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Park District, Illinois Renewable Energy Association, Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Prairie Rivers Network, Environmental Law and Policy Center of Chicago, Aldo Leopold Foundation, Tibetan Cultural Center, and Growing Home Farm, which provides training and employment opportunities in organic agriculture for homeless and low-income people in Chicago.

Vision Statement
The Giving Tree Band members consider it their duty, as musical artists, to serve. They view songwriting as an opportunity to explore ways to increase understanding and to improve the overall well-being of people and the environment. They believe that performing is simply a chance to connect with others, share these insights and perspectives, and point the way to a brighter future.

In music and life, The Giving Tree Band members continue to embrace simplicity and sustainability. In other words, the group does its best to make choices that are economically and ecologically sound- respecting all human, animal, and plant life. Unwilling to compromise these values, they hope to inspire people to build a more sustainable culture and open new avenues for artists to express themselves in a healthier way.

Musical Experience
The Giving Tree Band members have backgrounds in jazz, folk, rock & roll, and classical music. They have all studied at the university level at College of Dupage, Western Illinois University, Berklee College of Music, and Georgetown University.   They have performed in many cities throughout the United States and have been featured at many of Chicago's most esteemed venues including Navy Pier, The Fine Arts Building, McCormick Place, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple. They have recorded with or been on the play bill with some very fine acts including The Del McCoury Band, Frank Vignola, Casey Driessen, Dr. Dog, Ekoostik Hookah, Disco Biscuits, Hot Buttered Rum, Willy Porter, Garaj Mahal, The Codetalkers, Cornmeal, Catfish Haven, Andreas Kapsalis Trio, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Head of Femur, Pine Leaf Boys, and Trampled By Turtles as well as with non-musical guests such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., African water crisis expert Emmanuel Opong, and US Senator Dick Durbin.

Download Press Photo      (Photo Credit to Honna Austin)