Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Eli Menezes Quartet! Eli Menezes – Guitar Sam Howden – Trumpet Matt Weatherly – Bass JJ Johnson – Drums Eli Menezes is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer based out of Austin and New York City. His talent began at the early age of 12 while playing guitar, bass and keyboards in church and local bands in Rio de Janeiro. Since moving to NYC in the Spring of 2000 he’s been to over 60 countries and has worked with a diverse spectrum of artists and musicians from every style such as: Lauryn Hill, Richard Bona, Rita Ora, Faith Evans, Common, Ashanti, Estelle, Thalia, Fred Hammond and David Bisbal among many others. Eli currently lives in Austin, TX and is deeply involved in the Austin recording and live music scene where he often plays with Austin based artists such as David Grissom, Andrea Magee, JoJames, The Kill Tony Band, Gina Chavez and also FORQ from Snarky Puppy’s ground up music label. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for AJS Presents: Lis Morphis Quartet! Liz Morphis – Vocals JD Pendley – Guitar Phill Spencer – Bass Chris Sensat – Drums Liz Morphis has been singing her fabulous, ever-growing mix of Jazz standards to Austin for over twenty years. Her Violet Crown Revue have been together for at least fifteen of those, playing regularly at the Elephant Room and Evangeline Cafe, to name a couple of venues. Mellow, energetic, soothing, stimulating, top-notch vocal and guitar-based swing is what you can expect when you give this fabulous quartet a listen. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Yayennings Quartet! Yayennings – Trumpet Chris McQueen – Guitar Daniel Foose – Bass Adam Jackson – Drums Yayennings is a 4X Grammy winning artist. He began playing trumpet in the small town of Grapevine, Texas at age 11 and became a professionally presentable trumpet player by age 15. Known for his work with jazz supergroup Snarky Puppy, Yayennings lives in Los Angeles, CA and teaches at Occidental College as an adjunct trumpet professor and ensemble leader. Yayennings has had a fruitful career backing up some of the world’s finest artists such as Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald, David Crosby, David Bowie, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Four Tops, and many more. Upon his move from NYC to Los Angeles in February of 2017, Jennings began composing for his own band, The Yayennings Quartet. He has two studio albums under his own name, Yayennings, and you can find both of them on all digital streaming platforms. His latest album "Yayennings Vol. 2" is available for purchase on a 12 inch vinyl record. Yayennings is a GroundUp Music Artist and plays Yamaha trumpets and Denis Wick mouthpieces and mutes. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Joel Frahm Quartet! Joel Frahm – Saxophone Carter Arrington – Guitar James Suter – Bass Gerry Gibbs – 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 Andre Hayward Quintet! Andre Hayward – Trombone Daniel Raynaud – Piano Drew Simpson – Guitar Aaron Allen – Double Bass Kevin Witt – 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, Roy Hargrove, 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. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Curtis Taylor Quartet! Curtis Taylor – Trumpet Dayne Reliford – Piano Jeremy George – Bass Alex White – Drums Curtis Taylor is an award-winning trumpeter, performer, composer, recording artist, and educator. Growing up in Bedford, Ohio, he began playing the trumpet at an early age. Inspired by concerts he attended while in middle and high school, Taylor committed to a career in Jazz, honing his craft under the tutelage of his mentors at Michigan State and Rutgers University. Taylor‘s artistry has graced many stages worldwide. From iconic venues like the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Apollo Theater & Dizzy’s Club in New York City, to international festivals like The North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands and the San Javier Jazz Festival in Spain. He has also performed and recorded with numerous acclaimed artists, such as Billy Childs, James Carter, John Clayton, Patrice Rushen, Rodney Whitaker, Ed Motta, and Cyrus Chestnut. Notably, his work on Gregory Porter's Grammy Award-winning album "Liquid Spirit" earned him high praise. As a leader, he has recorded three albums, and his current release TAYLOR MADE has earned rave reviews from various publications, including features in JAZZIZ and DOWNBEAT, two of the top music magazines in the world. His composition “Kham’s Dilemma” earned First Place in the Jazz category of the Unsigned Only International Music Competition. Taylor is also an active clinician and educator and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Iowa. 

Join us for a live performance/livestream concerts at Monks featuring the Austin Youth Jazz Orchestra, directed by premier saxophonist and educator Diego Rivera. This show is presented by the Austin Jazz Society. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Jason Grant Quintet! Jason Grant - Trumpet Luke Bartels - Sax Chris Vu - Piano Liam O’Dell - Bass Joshua Berry - Drums ...with special guest Diego Martinez on vocals! Jason Grant is an accomplished trumpeter and music educator who began performing professionally at age 17 while still in high school. A veteran of the United States Army Band and a graduate of the UTSA School of Music and UT Austin’s Butler School of Music, he combines the depth of jazz tradition with a fresh, contemporary sound. Influenced by trumpet greats like Miles Davis, Roy Hargrove, and Marquis Hill, Jason brings a soulful, modern voice to the stage. His band will present a mix of original compositions and familiar jazz standards, offering an engaging and enjoyable experience for all audiences. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Women in Jazz Association Present: Celebrating Austin Women in Jazz! Shawnda Birch and Pamela Hart – Vocals Lauryn Gould – Saxophone Peggy Stern – Piano Mercedes Solis – Bass Masumi Jones – Drums Laura Mordecai – Percussion This March, during Women’s History Month, celebrate the women who keep jazz swinging! Women in Jazz Association, Inc. presents Celebrating Austin Women in Jazz, a powerful live concert honoring women’s artistry, leadership, and legacy in jazz— performed by an all-star ensemble of Austin’s finest women musicians. Experience up-close, straight-ahead jazz in one of Austin’s most beloved listening rooms. Seating is extremely limited, and this annual Women’s History Month concert is expected to sell out. For more information, visit womeninjazz.org. This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Monks Jazz Showcases | Night One! 6:30 PM • Wilson Marks 8:00 PM • Dayne Reliford 9:30 PM • Progger About Wilson Marks: 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. About Dayne Reliford: Dayne Reliford is a pianist, arranger, and composer from Houston, Texas. His musical journey started at the age of 4 when his grandparents enrolled him in lessons after watching him gravitate to their upright piano as a toddler. In December of 2020, Dayne graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Now, he serves as a freelance musician in Austin and has shared the stage with artists such as Brannen Temple, Robin Mckelle, Delfayo Marsalis, Andre Hayward, Michael Malone, Hannibal Lokumbe, and others. About Progger: What began as a jam session at a rehearsal space in Austin has become an international collection of gifted musicians whose captivating live performances and studio releases have garnered acclaim from fans and publications around the world. Progger is held together by a passion for music that balances sophisticated harmony and melody with visceral beats and riffs. Through four critically-acclaimed releases and live tours supporting acts like Parliament/Funkadelic, Snarky Puppy, and the Funky Knuckles, Progger has developed an international following of devoted fans. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Monks Jazz Showcases | Night Two! 6:30 PM • Atlas Maior 8:00 PM • Jessica Healey 9:30 PM • DODO About Atlas Maior: Atlas Maior creates original music that combines elements of Progressive Jazz, Middle Eastern, Latin, and Indian music traditions. Band members Joshua Thomson (alto saxophone, flutes), Josh Peters (oud, lavta), create a unique sound that balances intimate moments of sincerity with powerful melodies and incendiary rhythmic passages. The group writes original melodies exploring maqamat (Middle Eastern modal system) and harmonic progressions found in American jazz. Atlas Maior composes with a variety of rhythms & instrumentation including Indian tablas, kanjira, & Chinese hulusi. About Jessica Healey: Jessica Healey is a full-time singer-songwriter and jazz vocalist in Austin, Texas. Originally from Fort Worth, she joined the local live music scene just over a year ago and has quickly built a name for herself in Austin and beyond. She performs as lead vocalist and bandleader for her straight-ahead jazz ensemble, the Jessica Healey Quintet. She has been featured in ensembles led by renowned musicians such as Gerry Gibbs, Mike Sailors, and Kevin Lovejoy. About DODO: DODO is a prog-fusion unit created in late 2021 led by local Rhodes enthusiast Sam Blomgren. Drawing inspiration from the electric, adventurous spirit of 1970s Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea, DODO aims to push the envelope through improvisation and self-expression while simultaneously providing digestible compositions that are meant to be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Monks Jazz Showcases | Night Three! 6:30 PM • Erik Telford 8:00 PM • Izze Stein 9:30 PM • Bidwell/Clemons/Pankey About Erik Telford: Erik Telford is a trumpeter, composer, arranger, bandleader, and producer whose sound bridges modern jazz and cinematic composition. A native of California, he grew up immersed in the Monterey Jazz Festival scene and has since performed extensively around the world.He has appeared as a leader and sideman with acclaimed artists including Maria Schneider, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, James Williams, Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, Louie Bellson, Bob Schneider, George Bohannan, Nat Adderley, Joel Frahm, and Bill Berry. He has performed on many of the world’s most renowned stages, including the Monterey, Montreux, North Sea, Melbourne, and Yokohama Honmoku Jazz Festivals, as well as ACL Music Festival, SXSW, and the Grand Ole Opry. About Izze Stein: 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. About Bidwell/Clemons/Pankey: Stephen Bidwell and Jaron Marshall have been anchoring the rhythm section of Austin’s Grammy-nominated psychedelic-soul juggernaut Black Pumas since the band’s meteoric rise in 2019. Outside the Pumas' world tour circuit, the two have long bonded over a mutual love of hard bop and funky early-'60s Blue Note cuts: music that grooves as hard as it swings. When their schedules align, they call up a few trusted players and put together a setlist that leans into the soulful side of the jazz canon. This project is a nod to their roots and a chance to stretch in a different direction with deep pocket, deep cuts, and no filler. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Monks Jazz Showcases | Night Four! 6:30 PM • Mark Scott 8:00 PM • Theresa Chen 9:30 PM • JJ Johnson Quartet About Mark Scott: Mark Scott III is an accomplished guitarist, composer, and educator based in Austin, Texas. Working regularly as both a leader and a sideman, he has performed in many notable venues and festivals across Texas. Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also served as a Teaching Assistant for the jazz program. He currently works as a professor at Tarleton State University, where he directs Jazz Ensemble II, maintains a studio of guitarists, and teaches a Popular Music in America course. About Theresa Chen: Theresa Chen is a well-rounded musician with many dualistic characteristics—being a Taiwanese and American, playing classical and jazz, and being a Gemini. Currently active in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley area, she is a performing educator (or the other way around) filled with a flaming passion for music. Theresa serves as an assistant professor of jazz studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). She has given clinics, lectures, and masterclasses in Taiwan and the United States. She released her first jazz album, Whispering to God, in July 2022. She has shared the stage with famous jazz artists such as Gary Smulyan, Ingrid Jensen, Dave Liebman, Bria Skonberg, Boris Kozlov, Allison Miller, Chien-Chien Lu, Nathan Graybeal (Saxologic), Gerry Gibbs, and Scott Wendholt. About JJ Johnson: Growing up in San Antonio and Austin, TX, JJ Johnson has built a tremendous reputation as a masterful drummer with his polyrhythmic grooves and pin-dropping dynamics coupled with his thunderous power and intensity. He has backed some of music’s most talented artists such as Tedeschi-Trucks Band, John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, Sugarland, Doyle Bramhall II, Boz Scaggs and many others.