Brazilian Jazz Night: Malone & Friends

Brazilian Jazz Night: Malone & Friends

Sat, Apr 26

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Brazilian Jazz Night: Malone & Friends! Michael Malone - Saxophone Sofia Kriger - Vocals Sander Pinheiro - Guitar Ciriaco Isma - Bass Michael Longoria - Drums Michael Malone, a Cleveland, Ohio native, is a world-renowned saxophonist and composer. Michael's resume includes a five-year stint touring with legendary jazz organist Jimmy Smith, as well as dates with Cindy Blackmon, guitarist Mark Whitfield, and steel drummer Othello Molineaux. In addition to touring Europe and Asia with his own group Just Released, Michael was also a member and composer in the award-winning Austin-based group Blaze. A Resident of Austin, Texas, he leads The Michael Malone Quintet, works extensively with jazz organist extraordinaire Red Young, and plays frequently with Austin vocalist Pamela Hart. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. First Show: Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:45pm, Show at 10pm. 

Butler School of Music | Spring Recitals

Butler School of Music | Spring Recitals

Sun, Apr 27

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Butler School of Music's Spring Recitals! Featuring performances from Connor Holt, Eli Miller, Jerry Espinoza, Kevin Hrabak, and Christian Torres! 10:00 AM • Connor Holt 11:30 AM • Eli Miller 1:00 PM • Jerry Espinoza 2:30 PM • Kevin Hrabak 4:00 PM • Christian Torres 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. 

Roberto Aponte Quintet

Roberto Aponte Quintet

Sun, Apr 27

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Roberto Aponte Quintet! Blake O’Neal - Guitar Israel Yanez - Drums Derek Thigpen - Bass Roberto Aponte - Saxophone Roberto Aponte is a saxophonist whose style of playing pays tribute to the greats while effortlessly incorporating the contemporary. Born in South Austin, he earned a bachloers degree in Music Performance- Jazz Studies under the tutelage of Dr. Russell Haight. Roberto takes pride in being a “genre chameleon” in Latin, Funk, Pop, and Jazz ensembles, and looks for ways to blend his musical canvas. Roberto has played in various Jazz clubs in Austin, such as The Elephant Room and Parker Jazz Club. He is also featured on Del Burro al Subway by Sofrito y Su Melao. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

April 29th: Tribute to Bilal Sunni-Ali

April 29th: Tribute to Bilal Sunni-Ali

Residency

Tue, Apr 29

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Cosmic Intuition's Tribute to Bilal Sunni-Ali! Special Guest: Alex Coke Tenor Sax & Flute Joe Woullard: Bari/Tenor/Alto Sax & Flutes Brad Andrew: Tenor Saxophone Marc Sustaita: Trumpet Fumihito Sugawara: Guitar Lex Chabraja: Piano George Walker: Bass James Fenner: Percussion Rashah Amen: Drums & Percussion Cosmic Intuition formed in 1991 after Rashah Amen assembled a select group of players to perform a Miles Davis Tribute after his passing. The trumpeter for the performance Mark "Pat/Homeboy" Patterson suggested that we continue to play together and form a group. Through the years Cosmic Intuition has been a staple of the Austin scene, performing at The Victory Grill, McCullough Theatre, Boyd Vance Theatre, Mabee Ballroom, The Spider House Ballroom, King-Seabrook Chapel and many other venues. Several great Austin Musicians have been members of Cosmic Intuition including Ephraim Owens, Martin Banks, Michael Malone, Richard Price, Melvin Welborn, Edwin Livingston and Chandra Washington to name a few. This event: "Improvisation Soundscapes" (A Concert for Human Harmony) is dedicated to Saxophonist/Flautist Bilal Sunni-Ali from Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson's Midnight Band and the group he led for many years Song of Life Ensemble. Bilal came to Austin several times to perform with Cosmic Intuition, while Rashah and Bilal were very close Musical compadres for 27 years. This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Collin Shook Quintet | International Jazz Day

Collin Shook Quintet | International Jazz Day

Wed, Apr 30

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Collin Shook Quintet | International Jazz Day! Tommy Howard - Guitar Paulo Santos - Saxophones Collin Shook - Piano James Suter - Double Bass Daniel Dufour - Drums Collin Shook, native to Dallas, Texas, is a jazz pianist, composer, and founder of Monks Jazz. During high school, he studied instruments from all around the bandstand, moved to Austin in 2007, performed and recorded in Tucson from 2009 to 2013, and finally returned to Austin in 2014. In September 2016, Collin collaborated with the art co-op Topology in East Austin to create Monks Jazz Club, a pop-up listening room concept. Having hosted nearly 100 pop-up concerts in over a dozen venues from 2016-2020, Monks transitioned to a live-streaming format in response to the pandemic, and in 2021 landed a permanent brick and mortar space in the heart of East Austin, where Collin has produced over 600 Monks live-taping concerts. His two albums as a leader (Derivatives 2012 & The Desert 2016) can be found at collinshook.bandcamp.com 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Ronnie Coleman Jr. Quartet

Ronnie Coleman Jr. Quartet

Thu, May 01

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Ronnie Coleman Jr. Quartet! Ronnie Coleman Jr. - Piano Josh Walker - Saxophone Bud Hemphill - Bass Jeremy Sanders - Drums Ronnie Coleman Jr. is a multi-instrumental & vocal prodigy raised in Diboll, Texas. Now residing in Houston, Texas, Coleman masters several instruments including Percussion, Drums, Piano, Keyboards, and Organ, and also plays the Bass. After completion of high school, he went on to attend Angelina College in Lufkin, TX, with a full scholarship in Jazz and Symphonic Music. While attending Angelina, he worked as a session musician for various artists and genres. On November 27, 2008 Ronnie released his debut project “PREFACE” under his independently owned company Rico J Entertainment. In 2008, Ronnie also founded Houston’s #1 Multi-genre, Cross-cultural band, known as “MerlotMusic.” Merlot has been known to blaze the stages from Houston to California at various entertainment venues, concerts, churches & events. Ronnie released his sophomore project “Chapter One: No Turning Back” in March of 2013 and newer releases such as “Brighter Day” in August 2016, the international hit “Bayou City Funk” in 2017 and in the summer of 2020 the crowd- pleaser “Funky Monkey” On September 15,2018 Ronnie made history by recording Houston’s first live jazz dvd concert. In 2021 also on September 15 th , “When I’m with you” featuring Frank McComb and Marqueal Jordan was release on multiple music platforms. Coleman is not only a gifted musician, but he is also a business owner, and as the proprietor of Merlot Barber Shop, he was honored by Houston mayor, Sylvester Turner, with a proclamation and holiday “Ronnie Coleman Jr. Day” (September 15 th ) saluting his humanitarian efforts in the Houston community, including free haircuts for the homeless at George R. Brown during Hurricane Harvey. In addition to Merlot Barber Shop and of course MerlotMusic, despite a pandemic, Coleman has opened Coleman's Catering, and his food leaves his customers, including season 20’s The Voice contestant Dana Monique, singing his praises! Coleman and Merlot Music are available on all major music outlets, and on YouTube. Coleman is husband to SFA graduate Kacey Flye Coleman, and father to Adriana, Kyela, Vanessa and Olivia, and though he multitasks constantly playing with the band, on stage and at church, writing music, grooming the community, and being Chef Coleman, he still makes time for his joys... being a doting husband and father! 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

"Suspended" | Julie Slim & Rendezvous Album Release

"Suspended" | Julie Slim & Rendezvous Album Release

Fri, May 02

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for "Suspended" | Julie Slim & Rendezvous Album Release Show! Julie Slim - Vocals Sari Andoni - Oud Marco Antonio Santos - Guitar Josh Peters - Trumpet Kevin Hrabak - Trombone Joshua Thomson - Saxophone/Cheroq Shawn Ellison - Piano Shirley Johnson - Accordian Phill Spencer - Bass Joe McCreary - Drums James Fenner - Percussion Julie Slim is an Austin-based Lebanese-Palestinian-American world jazz vocalist and actress, who has been in the Austin theater and music scene since 1996, when she was nominated for an I.B. Payne Acting Award for her work in the original children’s show, Deep in the Heart of Texas. In 1999, Julie created a duet Cabaret Act, Cabarageous, with friend and vocalist Donna Lipman, which was featured in the summer Zach Scott Cabaret Series. In 2009, Julie also formed the Arabic band, Layalina in collaboration with Sari Andoni (oud), specializing in classical and folk Arabic music, which was featured in a SXSW World Music showcase in 2010. Julie has been a lead vocalist and clinician for the Austin Jazz Workshop since 2001, spreading the love of jazz to children in elementary schools in and around Austin. She is a member of the Austin Threshold Choir, thresholdchoir.org, an international organization that provides comfort during life transitions through song. Beginning in November 2023, Julie has been a lead vocalist with the Viva Palestina Orchestra, featuring Palestinian music, raising awareness of Palestinian culture. On March 27, 2025, Viva Palestina Orchestra received a music proclamation declaring this day to be Viva Palestina Orchestra Day, during which the VPO performed one of our songs in the City Council Chambers. Since 2013, Julie and her band, Julie Slim & RendezVous, have been performing in and around Austin, creating community and bridging cultures while uplifting and touching audiences wherever they perform. The band specializes in reviving international jazz and pop standards from the early 20th century as well as featuring original songs composed by Shawn Ellison and Julie Slim. Julie Slim & RendezVous has held residencies at Skylark, Shore ATX, and Parker Jazz Club. Additionally, Julie Slim Duo with Shawn Ellison have a residency at Plate by Dzintra that is ongoing for over 4 years. Julie has self-produced several albums with RendezVous under the name Julie Slim, streaming wherever music lives. Artist Statement: I invite you to join me with an extended RendezVous band to celebrate the release of my new album of originals, Suspended. This album has been a long time in the making, interrupted by Covid then life. It feels like a pregnancy that has finally been birthed, and I cannot wait to share the songs and their stories with you all. I sincerely hope that you enjoy the journey we will go on together. “Singing is musical storytelling that heals while opening the heart to new possibilities.” 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. First Show: Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:45pm, Show at 10pm. 

Rique Pantoja Rio Jazz Quintet

Rique Pantoja Rio Jazz Quintet

Sat, May 03

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Rique Pantoja's Rio Jazz Quintet! Rique Pantoja - Piano/Vocals Eli Menezes - Guitars Michael Malone - Saxophone/Flute Ismael Ciríaco - Bass Lucio Vieira - Drums Rique Pantoja is an internationally acclaimed composer, jazz pianist, arranger, and songwriter known for his sophisticated musical voice and wide-ranging collaborations. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rique’s career has spanned continents, genres, and decades, leaving a distinct mark on jazz, pop, film, and world music. At 19, he moved to the U.S. to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, immersing himself in jazz and contemporary music. An early milestone in his career was his move to Paris to collaborate with the iconic jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Their musical partnership produced a rare and intimate blend of Brazilian lyricism and American cool jazz, significantly influencing Rique’s harmonic language and melodic sensibility. After returning to Brazil, Rique quickly established himself as a key figure in the Brazilian music scene, working with legendary artists such as Djavan, Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, and many others. He also co-founded the group Cama de Gato, one of Brazil’s most celebrated instrumental jazz ensembles of the 1980s. Rique’s talents have attracted top artists from around the globe. He has collaborated with Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts, Alex Acuña, Abraham Laboriel, Steps Ahead, Israel Houghton, and classical guitarist Christopher Parkening, among many others. His ability to navigate across jazz, pop, gospel, and classical idioms makes him a sought-after musician on both stage and screen. In the world of film, Rique’s music has reached international audiences. His compositions were featured in Disney’s family hit “Jungle 2 Jungle”, bringing his vibrant and cinematic style to the big screen. He also contributed to the soundtrack of the animated feature “Rio”, collaborating with Sérgio Mendes and acclaimed composer John Powell. Rique’s work has earned numerous accolades, including Canada’s prestigious Covenant Award for Jazz/Blues Song of the Year for “I Believed It”, co-written with Zoë Theodorou. Whether composing, performing, or producing, Rique’s signature sound—a blend of rhythmic sophistication, melodic richness, and heartfelt emotion—continues to captivate listeners worldwide. Now based in Austin, Texas, Rique remains deeply active as a performer and composer, while also sharing his expertise through online instruction and master classes, inspiring a new generation of musicians around the globe. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. First Show: Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:45pm, Show at 10pm. 

The McCallum High School Jazz Ensemble | Under the Direction of Carol Nelson

The McCallum High School Jazz Ensemble | Under the Direction of Carol Nelson

Sun, May 04

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for McCallum High School Jazz Band! The McCallum Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Carol Nelson with support from Joe Morales, is delighted to entertain audiences at Monk's Jazz Club for a fundraising spring show, with a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the McCallum High School band program. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. 

Senior Recital | Eric Gronneberg Quintet

Senior Recital | Eric Gronneberg Quintet

Sun, May 04

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Eric Gronneberg Quintet! Eric Gronneberg - Saxophones Travis Schwartz - Guitar Zach Christensen - Piano Cody Collins - Bass Josh Garcia - Drums Eric Gronneberg is a senior saxophonist at Texas State University, originally from Helena, Montana. Inspired by the soulful sounds of Lou Donaldson, Charlie Parker, and Cannonball Adderley, he developed a deep love for jazz early on. His passion for improvisation and composition has shaped his unique musical voice, blending tradition with personal expression. Eric currently studies under the esteemed saxophonist Joel Frahm. Rooted in the blues and hard bop traditions, his playing emphasizes groove, lyricism, and a strong sense of storytelling. For his senior recital, he will present a program of original compositions and contrafacts, highlighting both his creative vision and deep appreciation for jazz’s rich harmonic language. Beyond the stage, Eric is dedicated to music education and hopes to inspire future generations of musicians. His recital marks both a culmination of his studies and a celebration of the journey that has led him here. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Senior Recital | James Rubino Quintet

Senior Recital | James Rubino Quintet

Mon, May 05

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the James Rubino Quintet! James Rubino - Baritone/Tenor Saxophone Chris Villanueva - Organ Dallas Anderson - Guitar Nicolas Aguon - Drums Milan Moorman - Trumpet James Rubino is a saxophonist from San Antonio, Texas and is currently a Senior jazz performance major at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Rubino grew up listening to jazz and instantly fell in love with the music which eventually led him to Texas State University. Once at Texas State, Rubino developed his sound through inspirations such as Jason Marshall, Micheal Brecker, and Ronnie Cuber. Outside of his studies, Rubino spends a lot of his time working in multiple music scenes across central Texas and spanning multiple genres, including jazz, funk, r&b and Latin. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Wilson Marks Trio

Wilson Marks Trio

Tue, May 06

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Wilson Marks Trio! Wilson Marks - Guitar/Voice Josh Flowers - Bass Aaron Parks - Drums One of Austin’s finest little known troubadours- a songwriter’s songwriter. Playfully prodding the human condition with an idiosyncratic pop ingrained with folk and NOLA jazz instincts, the singer / guitarist / pianist tosses off tunes with that magic mixture of simplicity and gravity. Endlessly surprising. -Austin Chronicle Wilson Marks studied jazz in the city of New Orleans but is based in Austin Texas- His songs cross genres and often feature word play, alliterative turns of phrase, harmonic twists or furry chords- When not playing with his own trio, most often comprised of Josh Flowers (bass) and Aaron Parks (percussion), he works as a side-man for a variety of other projects in live or studio endeavors - including The McMercy family Band, Matt the Electrician, The Jitterbug Vipers, The Lonesome Heroes, Datri Bean Band, The Aaron Parks Project, Sarah Sharp, and more. He has 4 albums of original material streaming from the usual online musical spigots and one release from an ambient, or hambient side project under the moniker The Pig Loopowski. By day he teaches elementary general music in Hays CISD, seeing 920 students every seven days. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

AJS Presents: Kevin Hrabak Quintet

AJS Presents: Kevin Hrabak Quintet

Wed, May 07

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for AJS Presents: Kevin Hrabak Quintet! Kevin Hrabak — Trombone // Vocals Juan Lara — Alto Saxophone Jakob Hartz — Piano Aidan Berg — Bass Matty Soto — Drums Following in the lineage of iconic jazz masters from across the decades, Kevin Hrabak is an Austin-based trombonist and vocalist who's recently completed his time studying at UT Austin’s Butler School of Music under the direction of Diego Rivera. With a sound that has become familiar amongst jazz enthusiasts in clubs from Monks to The Elephant Room, Hrabak’s charm and interpretation of the Great American Songbook has cemented his place as a rising star in the Live Music Capital of the World. Hrabak has shared the stage with national and local luminaries including Marshall Gilkes, Mathis Picard, Mike Sailors, Andre Hayward, Daniel Foose, Danny Jonokuchi, Gerry Gibbs, and Daniel Dufour. –––– 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Milo Hehmsoth Quintet

Milo Hehmsoth Quintet

Thu, May 08

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Milo Hehmsoth Quintet! Gene Centeno - Alto Saxophone Bruce Saunders - Guitar Milo Hehmsoth - Piano Liam Odell - Bass Josh Berry - Drums Milo Hehmsoth is a pianist, composer, and educator based in Austin, Texas. With inspiration from his father, renowned scholar and pianist Hank Hehmsoth, Milo draws influence from Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Chick Corea, Thelonious Monk. Milo has shared the stage with Austin mainstays Scott McIntosh, Andre Hayward, Autumn Henderson, and more. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Jerry Espinoza | Cubano-Bop Sextet

Jerry Espinoza | Cubano-Bop Sextet

Fri, May 09

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Jerry Espinoza Cubano-Bop Sextet! Jerry Espinoza - Saxophone Chris Cermak - Trumpet/Flugel Horn Joseph Hernandez - Piano Bruno Avitia - Bass Rene Garcia - Congas Chris Torres - Drums Born in Laredo, Texas, Jerry Espinoza received his bachelor's degree in Classical Saxophone Performance at Texas A&M in Kingsville, under the direction of James Warth. Jerry also earned a master's degree in 2015 in Jazz Studies at Texas State University, with emphasis in arranging, under the direction of Russell Haight and Hank Hehmsoth. Currently, he serving as adjunct professor of saxophone at A&M Kingsville and performs as a freelance musician across Central Texas. This concert will feature original compositions and fresh arrangements of jazz standards penned by Jerry & members across the bandstand. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. First Show: Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:45pm, Show at 10pm. 

Michael Hale Trio feat. Mac McIntosh

Michael Hale Trio feat. Mac McIntosh

Sat, May 10

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Michael Hale Trio feat. Mac McIntosh! Michael Hale - Drums/Vocals Jimmy Blazer - Upright & Electric Bass Marcell Coleman - Keyboards Mac Mcintosh - Vocals Austin blues and jazz legends, the Michael Hale Trio featuring Mac Mcintosh bring the great American songbook live to their weekly residences at Half Step and the King Bee Lounge. Celebrating 10 years at their Half Step residency, catch them every Tuesday at 9:30pm showtime. Sundays at 9pm on historic blues 12th Street the Michael Hale Trio featuring Mac Mcintosh have been playing at King Bee for 8 years. Austinite Mac Mcintosh sings lead vocals hitting the high notes. Michael Hale, recently named Austin's Best Jazz Performer by the Austin Chronicle, heads up the trio on the drums with Jimmy Blazer on the stand up bass and Marcell Coleman on keys. Come see why these legends have a multi-award winning short film written about them. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. First Show: Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:45pm, Show at 10pm. 

Theresa Chen Septet | Kingsville Meets Austin–Sounds From The Borders

Theresa Chen Septet | Kingsville Meets Austin–Sounds From The Borders

Tue, May 13

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Theresa Chen Septet | Kingsville Meets Austin–Sounds From the Borders! Theresa Chen - Piano Chris Cermak - Trumpet Frank Chapa - Alto/Soprano Saxophone Jerry Espinoza - Tenor Saxophone Josh Gentile - Trombone Miguel Rodriguez - Double Bass Joshua Alderete - Drums Theresa Chen, D.M.A., is an active, well-rounded musician. She serves as an assistant professor of jazz studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). She is the first Taiwanese American to teach jazz full-time at a music college in the United States. She has given clinics, lectures, and masterclasses around Taiwan and America. Her first jazz album, Whispering to God, was released digitally in December 2021 and physically in July 2022. Dr. Chen has shared the stage with famous jazz artists such as Gary Smulyan, Ingrid Jensen, Dave Liebman, Bria Skonberg, Boris Kozlov, Victor Provost, Allison Miller, Chien-Chien Lu, Nathan Graybeal (Saxologic), Andre Heyward, Gerry Gibbs, and Scott Wendholt. She also performed at the Texas Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, WGMC-Jazz90.1 Radio Station, KEDT Radio Station, Civic Morning Musicals, Syracuse Opera, WCNY (Symphoria), and many other prominent jazz venues in Taiwan, Central New York, and South Texas. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Margaret Slovak Trio

Margaret Slovak Trio

Wed, May 14

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Margaret Slovak Trio! Margaret Slovak - Guitar Chris Maresh - Bass Masumi Jones - Drums Guitarist and composer Margaret Slovak was born and raised in Denver, Colorado; she began playing the guitar at age 11 and composing at age 14. In 1986, Margaret received a BFA in Music (with Honors) from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. Her teachers included guitarists John Abercrombie, Dale Bruning, Dave Peterson and Ralph Towner. She also studied at the Banff Centre Jazz Workshop in Alberta, Canada. Margaret has performed throughout the US, as well as in Canada and Europe. She moved to Austin, Texas in 2012 from New York, where she lived from 1988–1993 and also from 2008–2012. While in NYC, Margaret had the opportunity to perform and record with pianists Fred Hersch and Joel Weiskopf, bassists Michael Formanek and Harvie S and drummer Michael Sarin. While living in Portland, Oregon, she toured the Pacific NW and Canada with her quartet, which included the legendary drummer Ra-Kalam Bob Moses. In addition to public performances, Margaret plays for patients in chemotherapy infusion centers, hospitals and hospice. Margaret is also a visual artist, often creating images which reflect her musical compositions; her colorful artwork appears on her CD packages. Margaret has released 5 CDs, 4 of which feature her original music: Undying Hope, New Wings, For the Moment, Ballad for Brad and A Star’s Light Does Fall (a duo album with Chris Maresh). Margaret’s albums have received excellent reviews and extensive national and international radio airplay, and her music has been used in several documentary films. She is also included in Scott Yanow’s 2013 book The Great Jazz Guitarists: The Ultimate Guide. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

May 15th: Poet Eartha Colson Ft Alex Coke, Dayne Reliford, Imani Anu

May 15th: Poet Eartha Colson Ft Alex Coke, Dayne Reliford, Imani Anu

Residency

Thu, May 15

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Cosmic Intuition's showcasing of rarely played compositions by: Marion Brown Oliver Lake McCoy Tuner and Wayne Shorter! Alex Coke: Tenor Sax & Flute Joe Woullard: Bari/Tenor/Alto Sax & Flutes Brad Andrew: Tenor Saxophone Marc Sustaita: Trumpet Fumihito Sugawara: Guitar Lex Chabraja: Piano George Walker: Bass James Fenner: Percussion Rashah Amen: Drums & Percussion Cosmic Intuition formed in 1991 after Rashah Amen assembled a select group of players to perform a Miles Davis Tribute after his passing. The trumpeter for the performance Mark "Pat/Homeboy" Patterson suggested that we continue to play together and form a group. Through the years Cosmic Intuition has been a staple of the Austin scene, performing at The Victory Grill, McCullough Theatre, Boyd Vance Theatre, Mabee Ballroom, The Spider House Ballroom, King-Seabrook Chapel and many other venues. Several great Austin Musicians have been members of Cosmic Intuition including Ephraim Owens, Martin Banks, Michael Malone, Richard Price, Melvin Welborn, Edwin Livingston and Chandra Washington to name a few. This event: "Improvisation Soundscapes" (A Concert for Human Harmony) is dedicated to Saxophonist/Flautist Bilal Sunni-Ali from Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson's Midnight Band and the group he led for many years Song of Life Ensemble. Bilal came to Austin several times to perform with Cosmic Intuition, while Rashah and Bilal were very close Musical compadres for 27 years. This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Izze Stein Quartet

Izze Stein Quartet

Tue, May 20

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Izze Stein Quartet! Izze Stein - Vocals/Piano Elias Haslanger - Saxophone Ryan Hagler - Upright Bass Joshua Alderete - Drums Izze Stein is a singer-songwriter driven by a deep desire to connect the world and help others heal. Born on the stages and jazz clubs of New York City, Izze is an unsigned independent artist who has made frequent appearances at Birdland Jazz Club, the Apollo Theater, and Wallace Lounge while opening for many soul artists, including Adi Oasis at Palm Heights in the Cayman Islands and Morgan James at the Sellersville Theatre. In addition, Izze is part of Hometowne Music Group, a Nashville-based writing & publishing company. A musician, lyricist, pianist, and singer with a limitless vocal range, Izze released her debut solo album, Questions, earlier this year. Rising Australian sensation EMEREE produced the album, as both artists build their momentum in the Jazz & R&B scenes. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

AJS Presents: Sammy Epstein Quintet

AJS Presents: Sammy Epstein Quintet

Wed, May 21

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for AJS Presents: Sammy Epstein Quintet! Sammy Epstein – Tenor/Alto Saxophones/Clarinet Aaron Lack – Vibraphone Ben Irom – Piano Alex Bilodeau – Acoustic Bass T.B.D. – Drums Sammy Epstein has been playing jazz in Austin since arriving in 2006 from Portland Oregon, where he was an active band leader/performer in the Portland jazz scene. He currently has an active performance schedule, leading several Austin-based groups:  Mirage Jazz Ensemble - (Saxes/Clarinet, Vibraphone, Bass)  Sammy’s Satin Sounds (Swing Dance Sextet)  Rio Novo (Brazilian Quintet)  Sammy Epstein Jazz Duo (Reeds & Piano)  Austin Klezmer Ensemble (Klezmer Quintet) Sammy earned a Ph.D. in physics and a J.D., both from University of Oregon. He taught Acoustics and Math/Physics for Recording Engineers at Berklee College of Music in Boston MA, where he attended music classes. His “day job” is patent attorney at a patent law boutique firm in Austin. –––– 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. 

Elias Haslanger | Blue Note Review

Elias Haslanger | Blue Note Review

Sat, May 24

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Elias Haslanger | Blue Note Review! Playing classic compositions and arrangements from the 50's and 60's Blue Note era of jazz, this show will highlight some of the players, studio sessions and stories that made the Blue Note sound such a unique and important part of our culture. Elias Haslanger - Tenor Saxophone Tito Carrillo - Trumpet Ross Margitza - Piano Ryan Hagler - Bass Mike Gordon - 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. First Show: Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm. Second Show: Doors at 9:45pm, Show at 10pm. 

Sofia Kriger Quartet

Sofia Kriger Quartet

Sun, May 25

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Sofia Kriger Quartet! Sofia Kriger - Voice Sander Pinheiro - Guitar James Sutter - Acoustic Bass Michael Longoria - Drums Sofia Kriger is a singer, songwriter and improviser. She was born and raised in Brazil. At the age of 16, she decided to move to NYC to study music and pursue a career. She graduated from the New England Conservatory with a Bachelor's in Jazz Performance, and her music currently embraces a variety of styles and sounds, including Brazilian music, jazz and pop. Sofia has also lived in South Korea for a music residency before she moved to Austin in 2024. Throughout her career, she has performed in several renowned venues including Jordan Hall, The Velvet Note, High Museum of Art and The Museum of Fine Arts. In her past, she was the co-leader of the Mojubá Ensemble, a modern world-jazz quintet that explored the meeting points between Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music. She also led the Solos de Ave Ensemble, a group that explored and reconstructed music of renowned Brazilian composers. Sofia also co-leads the Sofia and Sander project, with Brazilian singer/guitarist Sander Pinheiro. This project emerged when Sofia and Sander started creating and performing their arrangements of different types of World music (in Portuguese, Spanish, and English), including Brazilian music, jazz and pop. Since then, they have been recording original compositions and arrangements, and performing in several venues around the US. Their Brazilian roots from the Southeast and Northeast along with their experiences in different genres is what characterizes Sofia and Sander. 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! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm.