Monks Livestream's Upcoming Shows

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for UT Jazz Faculty feat. Melissa Aldana! Melissa Aldana – Saxophone, Guest Artist UT Jazz Studies Faculty: Diego Rivera – Saxophone, Artistic Director Michael Sailors – Trumpet Paul Deemer – Trombone Jacob Wise – Guitar Ross Margitza – Piano John Fremgen – Bass Daniel Dufour – Drums About Melisssa Aldana: GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana has earned international acclaim as one of the leading voices of her generation. Born in Santiago and raised in a musical family, Aldana began studying saxophone with her father at age six before moving to the United States to attend Berklee College of Music. In 2013, at age 24, she made history as the first female instrumentalist and the first South American musician to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Her deeply expressive sound and distinctive compositional voice have established her as a major presence on the international jazz scene. Aldana records for Blue Note Records, where she released the acclaimed album 12 Stars in 2022. Her earlier recording Visions earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Improvised Jazz Solo and was widely praised for its emotional depth and artistic vision. A founding member of the all-star ensemble ARTEMIS, Aldana continues to perform and collaborate with leading artists around the world while also serving on the jazz faculty at New England Conservatory. Recognized for both her powerful improvisation and thoughtful compositions, she has become one of the most compelling saxophonists and bandleaders in contemporary jazz. About the UT Jazz Faculty: The University of Texas Jazz Faculty Ensemble is a dynamic collective of world-class musicians and educators performing programs that span the full spectrum of jazz. Under the direction of Diego Rivera, Director of Jazz Studies at UT Austin, the ensemble showcases the exceptional talent and versatility of the university’s jazz faculty. Comprising seasoned professionals who are deeply committed to both performance and pedagogy, the ensemble performs a rich blend of original compositions, inventive arrangements, and timeless jazz standards. The ensemble offers a unique and vibrant sound, reflecting the individual voices of its accomplished members, each a respected performer and educator. While upholding the traditions of jazz, the group also pushes its boundaries, producing innovative music that exemplifies the excellence and forward-thinking spirit of the University of Texas jazz program. The ensemble’s performances are a testament to the faculty’s deep expertise, creative energy, and collaborative spirit. Each concert showcases the seamless intersection of artistry and education that defines the UT Austin jazz community. Regularly performing throughout the academic year, the University of Texas Jazz Faculty Ensemble remains a vital part of Austin’s rich cultural landscape, inspiring audiences with both technical brilliance and emotional depth. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Elias Haslanger and an All Star band for 2 sets of choice jazz classics and modern originals! Elias Haslanger – Tenor Saxophone Tommy Howard – Guitar Andy Langham – Piano James Suter – 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, Black Pumas, 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 8 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. His 2024 release Elias Haslanger Meets Mike Sailors is featured on Apple Music’s Pure Jazz playlist and has received over 100,000 streams worldwide as of today. "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 David Chao Quartet! David Chao – Piano Eric Hargett – Saxophone Ben Triesch – Bass Daniel Sanchez – Drums David is a jazz pianist and composer based in Austin, Texas. In September 2025, David started writing 50 new songs in 100 days, specifically for this show. This performance will feature the band’s selection of compositions from this new body of work. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Jerome Gillespie Quartet! Diego Rivera – Tenor Saxophone Jalen Baker – Vibraphone Darrell Lavigne – Piano Marwan Ghonima – Bass Jerome Gillespie – Drums Jerome Gillespie Jr. grew up as a musically inclined child going to church in Houston, where his god-mother, Theola Booker, a well-known educator and gospel composer was the minister of music. He attended Johnston Middle School (now Meyerland Middle School) and Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Gillespie moved to NYC in 2016 to pursue a bachelors degree and a career performing jazz music, spending his first 2 years of undergrad at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and completed his degree at 2 at Manhattan School of Music. Music is the vehicle by which he expresses himself; Jerome has always been fascinated with instruments and the way in which performing can touch and move people. He combines various unique and experimental elements from across genres as well as his own ideas resulting in Jazz-centered fusions that are still firmly stitched together by emotive undertones. Gillespie has worked with legends such as Reggie Workman, Frank Lacy, Bobby Watson, Valery Ponomarev, Mark Gross, and Antonio Hart and he cites them as the pivotal influences in his music. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Eric Wheeler Quartet! Joel Frahm – Tenor Saxophone Andy Langham – Piano Eric Wheeler – Bass Gerry Gibbs – Drums Bassist Eric Wheeler has emerged as one of the most versatile and in-demand voices of his generation. Wheeler has performed with many leading jazz artists, including Samara Joy, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Garrett, Nicholas Payton, Marcus Printup, Theo Croker, Eric (‘ELEW’) Lewis, Russell Malone, Sullivan Fortner, Cyrus Chestnut, Warren Wolf, Pharoah Sanders, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, and Delfeayo and Ellis Marsalis, and with artists across musical genres, including Jennifer Holliday, Roberta Flack, Jill Scott, Harry Connick, Jr., and Seal, and hip hop artists like Common, Wyclef Jean, and Lauryn Hill. His extensive discography includes playing on Samara Joy’s GRAMMY-winning album A Joyful Holiday, Jazzmeia Horn’s GRAMMY- nominated album Dear Love, and Theo Croker’s GRAMMY nominated album Star People Nation. Wheeler is a longtime member of the Theo Croker group, Jazzmeia and her Noble Force, and the Cyrus Chestnut trio, touring globally at premier venues and festivals. A Washington, D.C. native, Wheeler honed his craft through the DC Youth Orchestra Program, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, the National Symphony Youth Fellowship Program, and Howard University, where he earned both his B.M. and M.M. in Jazz Bass Performance. Now an enthusiastic educator, Wheeler has led masterclasses and clinics throughout the United States and abroad, including recently serving as jazz faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. He was previously a key artist in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz for Young People (JYP) program and a part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Education Abroad Program. Wheeler currently resides in New York where he continues to perform, record, and lead his own ensembles. 

This April, experience the soul, swing, and sophistication of two jazz legends. Pamela Hart – vocals Daniel Raynaud – piano Freddie Mendoza – trombone Mark Buselli – trumpet Justin Vasquez – alto saxophone Billy Satterwaite – bass Mike Gordon - drums Women in Jazz Association, Inc. and Monks Jazz Club proudly present A Tribute to Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley — Thursday, April 9th, 2026, at the intimate Monks Jazz Club in Austin. Step into an unforgettable evening honoring the elegance of Nancy Wilson and the electrifying brilliance of Cannonball Adderley — two artists whose music defined an era and continues to inspire generations. Expect classic swing, soulful storytelling, and hard-driving improvisation in one of Austin’s most beloved listening rooms. Tickets range from $20 to $40 and are available now at monksjazz.com. Seating is limited and this tribute is expected to sell out — advance purchase is strongly recommended. As part of Women in Jazz Association’s ongoing mission, this performance uplifts and preserves the powerful legacy of women in jazz during Women’s History Month and beyond. This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts. One night. Two legends. A timeless sound. Celebrate women, jazz history, and the music that still swings — April 9, 2026 at Monks Jazz Club. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Brazilian Jazz Night | Malone & Friends! Michael Malone – Saxophone Sander Pinheiro – Guitar & Vocals Sofia Kriger – Vocals Isma Ciriaco – 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. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Mara Kaye | A Love Letter to the Blues! Mara Kaye – Voice Lauryn Gould – Reeds Ryan Gould – Upright Bass Tim McNalley – Guitar About Mara Kaye: Brooklyn’s very own Queen of The Blues, Mara Kaye, is happily returning to Monks to honor the baddest, bossiest, wildest women of The Blues with support from Austin’s most beloved jazz duo: Lauryn Gould on Reeds and Ryan Gould on Upright Bass. This momentous evening will take you on a deep dive down to the roots of the blues tree highlighting songs from the godmothers of The Blues: Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and all the way up the branches to Billie Holiday to celebrate her 111th birthday. “For too many years, young jazz singers all but ignored the blues, but the attention now being paid to the form by outstanding young artists such as MARA KAYE is proof that things are getting better. This vivacious Brooklynite studies the classic blues the way the better cabaret singers of her generation studied Sondheim and invests 80-and-90-year-old texts with the force and spirit of her own considerable charisma. She specializes in the great songs of the Smith girls, not just the legendary Bessie, but also the highly worthy Mamie, Clara and Trixie.” - The Wall Street Journal About Lauryn Gould: Multi-instrumentalist, Lauryn Gould, enjoys a vibrant career as a performer, educator, composer/arranger, instigator, and community music facilitator in her hometown of Austin, TX, nationally, and abroad. She makes music in a wide variety of contexts, both locally and internationally, and has had the great privilege of collaborating with many of the bright lights in the central Texas music community. LG specializes in early jazz and swing music, primarily on saxophones and voice, though her formal education was initially in classical flute. She is the musical director of the Golden Hour Orchestra and Heptet, and is a member of The Relevators, Texas Moaners, Floyd Domino All-Stars, The Joymakers, Quilted Southerners, Charlie Christians, Bat City Brass Band, Moon Tower Brass Band, The Lovely Sparrows, The Brooks Prumo Orchestra, Katie Cavera and the Lost Boys, and The Traveling Janes, among others. 

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Kate Kortum Quartet! Kate Kortum – Vocals Tyler Henderson – Piano Jared Beckstead Craan – Bass Aaron Seeber – Drums Seamlessly blending bebop and Broadway, Kate Kortum has turned the heads of millions as one of the most compelling new artists in jazz today. A Juilliard graduate and winner of the 2025 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Kortum has become a familiar face on the most iconic stages in jazz including Birdland, Blue Note, Mezzrow, Dizzy’s Club, SXSW Festival, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Kortum has toured internationally and collaborated with modern jazz leaders including Bryan Carter, Peter Bernstein, Wynton Marsalis and the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Her debut album, Good Woman, reimagines jazz standards originally written by men, reclaiming them through bold arrangements and a distinctly female perspective. The record and her follow-up LP Wild Woman have been met with acclaim leading to over 5.1 million streams. Alongside her solo career, Kate Kortum is a member of The Sunhouse Singers, a New York-based vocal trio with vocalists June Cavlan and Joie Bianco. Together, the trio have been featured in projects from Bryan Carter, Charlie Rosen, Christian Wiggs, and Emmet Cohen - appearing on the award winning program “Live from Emmet’s Place”. “An exceptional talent… she approaches the music with curiosity and fearlessness, but also with the seriousness needed to perform at the highest levels. And, when you hear her sing... look out. She’s able to tell a story through her music, and it makes everyone around her want to stop and listen.” – Donald Vega