Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Eddy Hobizal Trio! Eddy Hobizal - Piano Sam Pankey - Bass Kyle Thompson - Drums Born in Houston, TX, Eddy Hobizal started classical piano studies at the age of five. From 1987 to 1991, while attending the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, he won several awards and much national recognition, including Third Place at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition in 1989, as well as an appearance on the Disney Channel's Mickey Mouse Club Show that same year. After studying at New York University, Eddy began performing in Houston, New York, and beyond, working with such Texas talents as Sebastian Whittaker and the Creators. In 1999, he moved to Austin, and has since had the opportunity to perform and record with Christopher Cross, Sara Hickman, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves, Shawn Colvin, La Tribu, Will Taylor and Strings Attached, Tina Marsh and CO2, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, and many other local and national artists. Eddy’s producing and recording career has blossomed over the past several years. He has produced critically-acclaimed albums for Sara Hickman, David Pulkingham (featuring Patty Griffin and Lloyd Maines), Elias Haslanger (featuring Dr. James Polk, former music director for Ray Charles), and many other artists and bands of varying genres. He has also produced two albums of original music, Anamnesis and Kinetic, currently for sale on iTunes. Eddy collaborates with several Austin recording studios on his projects, and has just finished building a new recording and teaching facility, Treehouse Recording Studio, where he continues to produce and teach. 

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. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Collin Shook Trio! Collin Shook - Piano James Suter - 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 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Rent Party! Sarah Ulloa - Vocals / Drums Jamey Cummins - Guitar / Vocals Jake Harrell - Guitar David Jellema - Cornet/Clarinet Alen Cileli - Violin Phil Spencer - Bass Rent Party hit the Austin swing jazz scene in 2015 and has since played countless bars, clubs, dances and private events in an around the city and beyond. Comprised of an eclectic group of Austin transplants, Rent Party brings a unique blend of players from varied musical backgrounds and influences. This diversity manifests in a fresh blend of hot jazz, vintage swing, and jazz manouche. In 2020 Rent Party released their first full length album "High Five and Rotate" containing a fresh mix of original tunes and classic jazz standards. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Glenn Rexach | The Music of Jeff Beck! Glenn Rexach - Guitar Chris Maresh - Bass Ben Irom - Keys Kevin Hall - Drums In the world of electric guitarists, Jeff Beck stands alone. His unique jazz-rock approach has endeared him to countless fans around the world. His soulful energy and effortless command of his instrument made his sound on the guitar one of the most singular voices to issue forth from any instrument. His explorations of jazz-rock-fusion styles put him at the forefront of players that stretched the boundaries of both jazz and rock. Never one to rest on his laurels, he constantly refined his style, and in so doing created a legendary body of work. Although he was initially a part of the British Invasion in the ‘60s, his restless muse had him searching for new ways of expression. This new direction for Beck culminated with his seminal recording, Blow by Blow. From then on, his voice continued to be honed into an unmistakeable force of creativity and uniqueness. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for AJS Presents: Joel Frahm Quartet! Joel Frahm - Saxophone Mitch Watkins - Guitar John Fremgen - Bass Daniel DuFour - Drums Born in Racine, Wisconsin in 1969, saxophonist Joel Frahm began his musical journey with classical piano and bassoon before switching to tenor saxophone at 14. After his family moved to Hartford, Connecticut, he joined the city’s high school jazz program, where he first met pianist Brad Mehldau. Frahm went on to study at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts and later earned a B.A. in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music. Quickly establishing himself in New York's jazz scene, he performed with top musicians including Matt Wilson, David Berkman, Maynard Ferguson, Betty Carter, and Pat Martino. Frahm has become known for his stylistic versatility, strong improvisational voice, and skill in supporting vocalists. His collaborations span generations, including artists like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ingrid Jensen, Diane Schuur, and Jane Monheit. His 2004 duo album Don’t Explain with Brad Mehldau received critical acclaim for its inventive interplay. Since then, Frahm has released multiple albums as a leader, contributed to over 100 recordings, and played on Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning albums by Freddy Cole, Dafnis Prieto, and Mehldau. A dedicated educator, Frahm now teaches at Texas State University, where he is developing a sought-after saxophone program. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Adam Jackson Quartet! Adam Jackson – Drums Sam Pankey – Bass Matt Muehling – Guitar Chase Baird – Saxophone Hailing from the Pacific Northwest by way of New York City, Adam Jackson is a dynamic drummer whose playing embodies both reverence and passion. Born and raised in Everett, Washington, Jackson honed his craft at The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC, where he refined his natural talent into the sophisticated artistry that defines his sound today. Over the past two decades, Jackson has lent his rhythmic expertise to an impressive roster of acclaimed artists, including Bilal, Emily King, Amel Larrieux, Jose James, and Takuya Kuroda, among many other notable performers. His versatility and musical intelligence have made him a sought-after collaborator across genres, bringing depth and nuance to every project he touches. Since relocating to Austin in 2020, Jackson has become an integral part of the city's thriving music scene, working with local powerhouses including Blk Odyssey and The Black Pumas. As faculty at the UT Butler School of Music Jazz Studies program, he's also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, sharing his wealth of experience and passion for the craft. Currently, Jackson performs regularly at The Pinky Ring by Bruno Mars in Las Vegas, where he performs regularly alongside a stellar ensemble of Austin-based musicians including Daniel Foose, Brian Donahoe, and Chris McQueen. This high-profile engagement showcases his ability to command stages from intimate jazz clubs to world-class entertainment venues. Drawing from the rich traditions of jazz, gospel, and soul, Jackson employs what he calls "Rhythmic Meditation"—a mindful approach to drumming that combines technical fortitude with spiritual depth. This philosophy allows him to captivate audiences and touch hearts, proving that virtuosity and emotional authenticity are not just compatible, but essential partners in creating truly transcendent musical experiences. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Jessica Healey Quintet! Jessica Healey - Vocals Elias Haslanger - Saxophone Matt Zelenin - Piano Liam O'Dell - Bass Dillon Brouse - Drums Jessica Healey is a singer-songwriter and jazz vocalist based in Austin, Texas. Known for her emotionally honest writing and genre-blending sound, she brings her core band to the Monks stage to explore the space between modern indie music and straight-ahead jazz—honoring tradition while challenging expectations. The set features inventive arrangements of jazz standards by pianist Matt Zelenin, performed alongside Healey’s original compositions. Together, they weave jazz harmony, lyrical storytelling, and contemporary grooves—making jazz more accessible, and pop more richly textured. For this performance, Jess is joined by her longtime bandmates and special guest Elias Haslanger on alto saxophone. A cornerstone of Austin’s jazz scene for over three decades, Elias brings deep musical wisdom, technical mastery, and a tone shaped by years of touring, teaching, and recording at the highest levels. Sit back (or lean in) for a night of dynamic, forward-thinking music. Follow Jessica everywhere you stream and scroll: @jesshealeymusic 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Elias Haslanger Quintet! Elias Haslanger - Tenor Saxophone Tommy Howard - Guitar Ross Margitza - Piano Sam Pankey - Bass Daniel Dufour - 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 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Bokani Dyer Trio! Bokani Dyer - Piano, Vocals Timothy Norton - Bass Lumanyano Mzi - Drums Bokani Dyer is an acclaimed pianist, composer, and bandleader and has stood as one of the most formidable and creative talents in South Africa. In the exploration of the musical tradition, and the music’s present role in culture and society, he has been a significant force of his generation asking and diving deeply into the complex question of identity in South Africa. Award-winning composer, hailed as the future of South African Jazz when he won the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year right at the outset of his career in 2011, keeps garnering accolades worldwide. His trio album Neo Native won the SAMA award for best jazz album in 2019. That year, he was also invited to perform at London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club as part of the Piano Trio Festival. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Andre Hayward - Tommy Howard Quintet! Andre Hayward - Trombone Tommy Howard - Guitar Andy Langham - Piano Collin Shook - Double Bass Matt Carr - Drums Andre Hayward is a trombone player based in Austin, Texas. His sound and clarity are reminiscent of the late J.J. Johnson. Born in Houston in 1973, Hayward’s first exposure to music was through his parents, Melvin and Barbara Hayward. He began playing trombone and tuba at the age of 11. He attended HSPVA, and continued to hone his skills with Houston’s legendary educator Conrad O. Johnson. He has recorded or performed with Betty Carter, Joe Williams, John Lewis, Kirk Whalum, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and many others. Hayward toured as lead trombonist with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, guitarist Tommy Howard has been a mainstay on the Austin jazz scene for over 15 years, performing with Ephraim Owens, Tony Campise, Butch Miles, Andre Hayward, Elias Haslanger, Dr. James Polk, and many others. In addition to leading his own groups, Howard is currently a member of the critically acclaimed five-time Austin Music Award-winning ensemble, Church On Monday. Howard's debut trio album, Storybook, was released in 2017. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Justin Vasquez Quartet! Justin Vasquez – Saxophones and Flute Gabriel Santiago – Guitar Aaron Allen – Bass Gerry Gibbs – Drums Evolution and a fiercely open-minded approach to composition are the hallmarks of saxophonist Justin Vasquez. His writing, filled with surprises and twists, crosses boundaries of jazz, contemporary, country, classical, and singer/songwriter aesthetics. His sound, aggressive and muscular, bears the lineage of greats like Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Kenny Garrett and Michael Brecker yet is immediately identifiable. Justin Vasquez has recorded, performed or toured with a diverse range of artists such as Christopher Cross, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Mark Guiliana, Manhattan Transfer, Dave Liebman (Miles Davis), Tom Harrell, Gretchen Parlato, Janek Gwizdala and Jojo Mayer. Justin endorses D’Addario reeds products. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Izze Stein Quintet! Izze Stein - Vocals Elias Haslanger - Saxophone Bob Villwock - Piano Edgar Giuseppe Bruno Avitia - 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. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Janek Gwizdala Quartet! Janek Gwizdala - Bass Justin Vasquez - Saxophones Gabriel Santiago - Guitars Drums - Gavin Moolchan London-born, US-based bass player and record producer Janek Gwizdala has been on the international music scene for almost three decades, touring as a bandleader and working as a musical director and sideman with some of the most respected names in the industry. These include Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Carlos Santana, Hiram Bullock, John Mayer, Airto Moreira, Chuck Loeb, Peter Erskine, Flora Purim, Pat Metheny, Eric Marienthal, Billy Cobham, Bob James, John Patitucci, Rick Margitza, Bob Mintzer, Bob Reynolds, Mark Turner, Tosin Abasi, Aaron Parks, Marcus Miller, Jojo Mayer, Paul Shaffer, Steve Cropper, Delta Goodrem, Adam Rogers, Gretchen Parlato, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Donny McCaslin, Lenny Castro, Kazumi Watanabe, Mark Guiliana, Ronny Jordan, Luis Conte, Dennis Chambers, Lionel Loueke, Kenny Werner, Eric Harland, Steve Smith, Vital Information, Benny Greb, Kenwood Dennard, and Wayne Krantz. As a recording artist, Janek has released sixteen albums as a bandleader. As an author, he has published twenty-two critically acclaimed books and has toured the world extensively as both a musician and as a lecturer and clinician at the world’s leading educational establishments. Janek endorses DR Strings and Ampeg Amplification. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Elena Diaz Quintet! Elena Diaz - Voice Jose Manuel Tejeda - Guitar Ross Margitza - Ross Margitza TBA - Bass Jason McKenzie - Drums, Percussion Elena Diaz is a vocalist and musician from Houston, Texas, known for her rich voice—often compared to Karen Carpenter and Rosa Passos—and her ability to sing in multiple languages. A former member of the prestigious Houston Children's Chorus, Elena has graced iconic stages like The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Stude Concert Hall at Rice University, and The Grand 1894 Opera House, performing alongside luminaries such as Maureen McGovern, Heather Headley, and Shirley Jones. She has also opened for Alejandro Escovedo and shared the stage with Jon Herington of Steely Dan and Adam Scone of Sharon Jones and The Sugarman 3. In 2017, Elena moved to the South of France, performing throughout the French Riviera and Europe while exploring Latin jazz with her band, The FR Collective. Beyond performing, she has made her mark as a producer and co-writer, including a song featured in a film nominated at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022.