Live Jazz in Austin

Wed, Jun 10, 7:30 PM

AJS Presents: Austin Jazz Legends | A Celebration of Four Years of Midweek at Monks

Monks Jazz Club / St. Elmo / Map

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for AJS Presents: Austin Jazz Legends | A Celebration of Four Years of Midweek at Monks! Pamela Hart – Vocals Mady Kaye – Vocals Ephraim Owens – Trumpet Jon Blondell – Trombone Mike Mordecai – Trombone Elias Haslanger – Saxophone Mitch Watkins – Guitar Red Young – Piano Hank Hehmsoth – Piano Roscoe Beck – Bass Stephen Summer – Drums Hosted by Rabbi Neil Blumofe This June 10th, come join us as we celebrate four years of incredible partnership with the Austin Jazz Society. Featuring local legends of the Austin Jazz Community, this night is not to be missed! Make a donation to be recognized: Supporter Level: Donate $50 or more, and we'll mention your name as a Supporter of the "AJS Presents: Midweek @ Monks" series, as part of the mission to creating more sustaining performance opportunities for Austin jazz musicians! Sponsor Level: Donate $100 or more, you’ll be recognized as a Sponsor of the "AJS Presents: Midweek @ Monks" series. Please Note: This is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Cold bottles of still and sparkling water will be available for purchase, but this event is BYOB. Ice will be available if needed, wine keys and 9oz cups provided! Doors at 7:15pm, Show at 7:30pm.

Parker Jazz Club owner/musician Kris Kimura and the Ryan Davis Trio take the stage! Dubbed the "Woodwind Samurai" by Jeff Kashiwa, Kimura showcases his virtuosity on clarinets, flutes, saxophones, and even a little ukulele, trumpet, and flugelhorn—all while delivering award-winning vocals—as he explores timeless American Songbook classics. The quartet performs jazz standards inspired by legends Nat King Cole, Chet Baker, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, and more. Expect exceptional arrangements, engaging stories, and an unforgettable swingin' evening. The intimate venue features soft candlelight, moody lighting, and all seats facing the spectacular center stage—perfect for an evening of live jazz. This show will also be available via livestream at parkerjazzclub.com/livestream. Online donations welcome. All proceeds benefit local nonprofit Texas Jazz Society. Please note: Parker Jazz Club is a 21+ venue

Parker Jazz Club owner/musician Kris Kimura and the Ryan Davis Trio take the stage! Dubbed the "Woodwind Samurai" by Jeff Kashiwa, Kimura showcases his virtuosity on clarinets, flutes, saxophones, and even a little ukulele, trumpet, and flugelhorn—all while delivering award-winning vocals—as he explores timeless American Songbook classics. The quartet performs jazz standards inspired by legends Nat King Cole, Chet Baker, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, and more. Expect exceptional arrangements, engaging stories, and an unforgettable swingin' evening. The intimate venue features soft candlelight, moody lighting, and all seats facing the spectacular center stage—perfect for an evening of live jazz. This show will also be available via livestream at parkerjazzclub.com/livestream. Online donations welcome. All proceeds benefit local nonprofit Texas Jazz Society. Please note: Parker Jazz Club is a 21+ venue

Sun, Jun 14, 7:30 PM

Rachel Spencer Quintet

Monks Jazz Club / St. Elmo / Map

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Rachel Spencer Quintet! Rachel Spencer – Trumpet Jerry Espinoza – Saxophones Andy Langham – Piano Liam O’Dell – Bass Mati Soto – Drums Austin-based trumpeter Rachel Spencer is known for her expressive tone, stylistic agility, and authentic presence as both bandleader and side musician. She performs regularly in a wide variety of settings in central Texas, and has toured nationally and internationally, most recently holding the lead trumpet chair on the North American Broadway tour of The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy. Her compositional and playing style is a blend of modern groove and post bop tradition, taking inspiration from luminaries such as Blue Mitchell, Kenny Garrett, and Roy Hargrove, her playing being described as soulful and thoughtful. In addition to performing, Rachel maintains in demand as an educator with a robust private studio and masterclasss schedule, as well as directing local jazz ensembles. Her debut release as a leader “The Next Right Thing” is pending release in early 2027. In 2025, she was awarded the Presser Foundation Award, funding her debut recording, The Next Right Thing, which is pending release. Please Note: This is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Cold bottles of still and sparkling water will be available for purchase, but this event is BYOB. Ice will be available if needed, wine keys and 9oz cups provided! Doors at 7:15pm, Show at 7:30pm.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Drew Simpson Quintet! Drew Simpson – Guitar Paul Deemer – Trumpet Matthew Zelenin – Piano Chris Jones – Bass Daniel Watson – Drums Drew Simpson is a guitarist and composer known for his expressive sound and dynamic blend of bossa nova, bebop, and modern jazz. He first made his mark in California, performing with jazz luminaries such as Wilton Felder, Ronnie Laws, Wayne Henderson, Ricky Lawson, Terrence Blanchard, The Banda Brothers, Bobby Hutcherson, Will Donato, Phillip Ingram and more, while appearing at renowned venues and festivals across the U.S. His debut album Noteworthy earned international acclaim, with “On Fallen Ground” and “Coastal Rays” reaching the Billboard Top 10. His follow-up release, Come Home, further showcased his composition skills across straight-ahead jazz and Bossa. Since relocating to Texas, Simpson has become an active voice in the state’s vibrant jazz community, performing at The Elephant Room, River Sun, Continental Club, Monks, appearing on Austin PBS’s Women in Jazz, and bringing his music to festivals throughout the region. Building on his years of performing across the country, Simpson continues to captivate audiences with original compositions and inventive arrangements. Please Note: This is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Cold bottles of still and sparkling water will be available for purchase, but this event is BYOB. Ice will be available if needed, wine keys and 9oz cups provided! Doors at 7:15pm, Show at 7:30pm.

Fri, Jun 19, 7:30 PM

Elias Haslanger Quintet

Monks Jazz Club / St. Elmo / Map

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Elias Haslanger Quintet plays originals and some classics from the Blue Note era at Monks Jazz! Elias Haslanger – Tenor Saxophone Mike Sailors – Trumpet Ross Margitza – Piano Ryan Hagler – Bass Gerry Gibbs – Drums Over the span of his 30-year music career, native Texan and Austin resident Elias Haslanger has carved a unique and distinguished place in jazz history as a saxophonist, composer, and band leader, whose playing and writing has drawn comparisons to John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Ben Webster, and Wayne Shorter. He has performed, recorded, and toured with many world-class artists including Ellis Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, Christopher Cross, Charlie Hunter, Asleep at the Wheel, Alejandro Escovedo, Sheryl Crow, Grupo Fantasma, Spoon, The Four Tops, and The Temptations, among many others. Mentored by the legendary saxophonists Harvey Pittel and Dick Oatts, Elias studied saxophone at the University of Texas and then at the Manhattan School of Music. His interest in writing music culminated in a Master’s Degree in Composition at Texas State University in San Marcos. Elias has performed around the United States and Europe at clubs like Snug Harbor in New Orleans, Jazz Alley in Seattle, The Elephant Room in Austin, and The Blue Note in New York. He has also served as a guest artist/lecturer at universities around the nation. Elias has 7 recordings as a leader all of which have been played on radio stations across the world. His 2014 recording LIVE at the Gallery, received 4.5 stars in Downbeat magazine and was listed as one of the best recordings of the year. "Haslanger's freewheeling licks roar with virtuosity and infectious joie de vivre." Michael Jackson, DownBeat Please Note: This is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Cold bottles of still and sparkling water will be available for purchase, but this event is BYOB. Ice will be available if needed, wine keys and 9oz cups provided! First Show: Doors at 7:15pm, Show at 7:30pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:15pm, Show at 9:30pm.

Fri, Jun 19, 9:30 PM

Elias Haslanger Quintet

Monks Jazz Club / St. Elmo / Map

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Elias Haslanger Quintet plays originals and some classics from the Blue Note era at Monks Jazz! Elias Haslanger – Tenor Saxophone Mike Sailors – Trumpet Ross Margitza – Piano Ryan Hagler – Bass Gerry Gibbs – Drums Over the span of his 30-year music career, native Texan and Austin resident Elias Haslanger has carved a unique and distinguished place in jazz history as a saxophonist, composer, and band leader, whose playing and writing has drawn comparisons to John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Ben Webster, and Wayne Shorter. He has performed, recorded, and toured with many world-class artists including Ellis Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, Christopher Cross, Charlie Hunter, Asleep at the Wheel, Alejandro Escovedo, Sheryl Crow, Grupo Fantasma, Spoon, The Four Tops, and The Temptations, among many others. Mentored by the legendary saxophonists Harvey Pittel and Dick Oatts, Elias studied saxophone at the University of Texas and then at the Manhattan School of Music. His interest in writing music culminated in a Master’s Degree in Composition at Texas State University in San Marcos. Elias has performed around the United States and Europe at clubs like Snug Harbor in New Orleans, Jazz Alley in Seattle, The Elephant Room in Austin, and The Blue Note in New York. He has also served as a guest artist/lecturer at universities around the nation. Elias has 7 recordings as a leader all of which have been played on radio stations across the world. His 2014 recording LIVE at the Gallery, received 4.5 stars in Downbeat magazine and was listed as one of the best recordings of the year. "Haslanger's freewheeling licks roar with virtuosity and infectious joie de vivre." Michael Jackson, DownBeat Please Note: This is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Cold bottles of still and sparkling water will be available for purchase, but this event is BYOB. Ice will be available if needed, wine keys and 9oz cups provided! First Show: Doors at 7:15pm, Show at 7:30pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:15pm, Show at 9:30pm.

Parker Jazz Club owner/musician Kris Kimura and the Ryan Davis Trio take the stage! Dubbed the "Woodwind Samurai" by Jeff Kashiwa, Kimura showcases his virtuosity on clarinets, flutes, saxophones, and even a little ukulele, trumpet, and flugelhorn—all while delivering award-winning vocals—as he explores timeless American Songbook classics. The quartet performs jazz standards inspired by legends Nat King Cole, Chet Baker, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, and more. Expect exceptional arrangements, engaging stories, and an unforgettable swingin' evening. The intimate venue features soft candlelight, moody lighting, and all seats facing the spectacular center stage—perfect for an evening of live jazz. This show will also be available via livestream at parkerjazzclub.com/livestream. Online donations welcome. All proceeds benefit local nonprofit Texas Jazz Society. Please note: Parker Jazz Club is a 21+ venue