Monks Livestream's Upcoming Shows

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Beat Divas! Mady Kaye – Vocals Beth Ullman – Vocals Dianne Donovan – Vocals Andy Langham – Piano Aiden Berg – Bass Stephen Summer – Drums Mady Kaye, Beth Ullman and Dianne Donovan are the ebullient Beat Divas. Three remarkable voices in tight harmony romp through American jazz and pop with a joie de vivre and vocal abandon rarely heard. Sexy, sassy and swingin', their repertoire includes original works, jazz standards and the best of American pop music jazzed up. From bebop to pop-gone-salsa, their song styling is totally refreshing. The Divas' original songs about food, which they include in their cooking classes at Central Market Cooking School, are delicious and hilarious. Mady Kaye, Divas' bandleader, is a 2024 inductee into the Austin Jazz Society Hall of Fame. This year marks fifty years in the Austin music scene for Ms. Kaye, from performing to bandleading, studio vocal production, vocal coaching, songwriting and arranging. The Austin Chronicle's Critic's Picks named her the best professional voice instructor in Austin. Mady and Beth write the Beat Divas' original material and arrangements. Beth Ullman is back in Austin after almost thirty years on the commercial music faculty at McLennan Community College in Waco, where she was an instructor of voice and vocal ensemble, a vocal arranger and accompanist (she's an amazing pianist). The Divas are thrilled she's in town again! Her most recent recording of all-original compositions, "We've Got Tonight," was released on Aardvark Records to wide acclaim. Dianne Donovan, a Montreal-born jazz vocalist, has a voice you already know as queen of the classical airwaves, host of Midday Oasis on KMFA Classical Radio 89.5 FM. She is also host and producer of "Classical Austin," and continues to produce a weekly vocal jazz show, "Voices in Jazz" for CKUA Radio in Edmonton, Canada. She has interviewed jazz greats from Bobby McFerrin to Shirley Horn. Dianne's luscious voice provides the perfect low end to the Beat Divas' harmonies.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Gil Del Bosque Album Release Show! Gil Del Bosque – Saxophones & Wind Synth Dan Redner – Piano James Suter – Bass Aaron Parks – Drums Gil Del Bosque is originally from Brownsville, Texas. He picked up the saxophone in beginner band at the age of 12 and after high school, relocated in 1996 to study classical saxophone with Don Lefevre at West Texas A&M . Gil then continued studying at the University of North Texas, where he studied classical and jazz saxophone with Andrew Dahlke, Jim Riggs, Tom Luer and Mario Cruz. After graduating from UNT, he began working for Carnival Cruise ships out of Miami, Long Beach, and Puerto Rico. Also worked Cunard cruise ships out of Southampton, England on the Queen Elizabeth. While working on ships, Gil honed his reading skills on all woodwinds by backing up a different act every night with little to no rehearsal. After being at sea for five years, Gil returned to school and pursued graduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, with a Masters in Jazz Performance. While in Austin, he shared the stage with Chris Potter, Herbie Hancock drummer, Mike Clarke, famed country singer, Lyle Lovett, Latin salsa singer, Olga Tanon, Boyz II Men, Debbie Boone, Aaron Neville and Huey Lewis and the News. While in Austin, he also had the opportunity to study with John Mills, Harvey Pittel, Bob Shepard, and Joel Frahm. Gil currently resides in Austin, Texas, and has a full schedule divided between a studio of over forty private lesson students on clarinet and saxophone, and a busy performing schedule. He performs with his own jazz quartet as a featured performer at Austin venues, such as The Elephant Room, Parker’s Jazz Club, and Monk’s Jazz. Additionally, he also performs currently with the Austin Jazz Workshop and is the Youth Jam Director with the AJW.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for The Jazz Purveyor Presents: Helen Sung Big Band "Oracles"! A SPECIAL ALBUM PRE-RELEASE EVENT Helen Sung presents Oracles with a star-studded Texas Big Band Trumpets – Matt Collins, Mike Sailors, Tito Carillo, Isaac Pittinger Trombones – Andre Hayward, Kevin Hrabak, Judah Guerra, Demetrius Thornton Saxophones – Seth Carper, Matthew Chavez, John Ellis, John Mills, Andrew Gutauskas Piano – Helen Sung Bass – Sam Pankey Drums – Quincy Davis When pianist and composer Helen Sung received the opportunity to arrange for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in 2016, it started her on a journey in large ensemble writing that is now culminating with the release of her debut big band album Oracles (Sunnyside Records, June 12, 2026). Paying tribute to the jazz masters who were her mentor-teachers during her studies at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance (now the Herbie Hancock Institute), Sung presents musical portraits dedicated to some of the greatest icons of jazz which will be performed by some of the brightest stars on today's Lone Star jazz scene. Jazz giant Wynton Marsalis writes about the album in his liner notes: “Helen Sung is a shining example of the heroic journey to self-realization through the art of Jazz. As a soloist, arranger, composer and bandleader she [Helen] has developed an expansive vocabulary that encompasses the richness, virtuosity, freedom and humanity that defines the best jazz…the little details that define our music are well represented and attended to with care and intelligence. That’s why this is a great listen…All you have to do is check it out.” Helen Sung's Oracles is created with the support of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation; additional funding comes from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. A Houston native and UT grad, Helen is an award-winning artist now living in New York City. She was mentored by legends like Ron Carter and Clark Terry, and has been featured in major jazz festivals including Newport, Detroit, Monterey, SFJAZZ, and at Carnegie Hall. She now tours globally as an acclaimed performer and educator, and was recognized with UT's prestigious E. William Doty Distinguished Alumna Award. Brought to you by The Jazz Purveyor

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for The Jazz Purveyor Presents: David Lee Jones! David Lee Jones – Saxophone Full Personnel TBA 2x Grammy-winning saxophonist, flautist, composer & arranger David Lee Jones is a New York based musician and recording artist bringing his bluesy brand of soulful swing to the city of Austin. David was born and raised in the Settegast area of Houston, TX, growing up alongside Jazz Messenger Ku-umbwa Frank Lacy, and attended Texas Southern University (home of the Ocean of Soul) alongside Kirk Whalum. Jones then headed to Berklee College of Music where he was recognized with the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Musicianship, and came up with classmates including: Branford Marsalis, "Big Chief" Donald Harrison, Walter Beasley, Cyrus Chestnut, and Wallace Roney, to name a few. His career flourished when he moved to NYC in 1990. He first worked with organist "Brother" Jack McDuff, then with Jerome Richardson on the hit musical 'Black and Blue,' and later had another Broadway appearance in 'Shuffle Along (Story of Noble Sissie)'. He soon joined R&B singer Phyllis Hyman (also playing keyboards) with whom he played with until her passing. In 1992 he became a regular call for the award-winning Mingus Big Band. Jones was a core collaborator with the critically acclaimed jazz/rap group Digable Planets, touring and appearing on numerous television programs including MTV, Arsenio Hall, Jay Leno, The Tonight Show with David Letterman. He performed at the Grammys in 1994, the year Digable Planets won for "Best Rap Group or Duo" and Mingus Big Band was nominated for "Best Large Ensemble" for the album "Gunslinging Birds" (with Settegast 'homie' Lacy). David played and wrote all of the featured interludes and horn arrangements for the Planets' second album release "Blow Out Comb". His impressive and extensive credits don't end there -- he's also performed and recorded with many artists including Sade (touring as an opening act), Sun Ra Arkestra, George Benson, Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine, Jordin Sparks, Melba Moore, Jennifer Holliday, Anita Baker, Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Jimmy McGriff, The Dells, The Chi-Lites, Shirley Scott, Jean Carne, Roy Ayers and Aaron Neville. Jones has been on camera in various films, such as “Everyday” starring Leiv Schrieber & Helen Hunt. He's been featured at major festivals including Montreaux Jazz, Montreal Jazz, Glastonbury, Pori Jazz, North Sea, Nice Jazz, JVC Jazz Festival (now Newport), Palais Du Sport (Netherlands), Roskilde (Denmark), to name a few; and he's even backed Rod Stewart on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. David maintains his east coast residence as a professional musician and educator, working regularly in Harlem and across NYC, New Jersey, and Boston while also performing abroad. He is pleased to be back home in Texas to share his extensive and experience-refined artistry. Presented by The Jazz Purveyor.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for TXST Mercedes Solis | Bachelors Recital! Mercedes Solis – Bass Joshua Jaime – Alto/Tenor Saxophone Luke Blackburn – Piano Noah Luna – Drums Mercedes Solis is bassist born and raised in Austin, TX. After graduating from James Bowie High School she attended Austin Community college, completing her associates in 2024, studying with Dr. James Suter, Jacob Wise, and Dr. Steven Sodders. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Jazz Performance degree from Texas State University where she studies under Dr. Utah Hamrick and Tito Carillo. Mercedes is the founder of Women of Jazz TX and a member of the Austin Federation of Musicians Local 433. She has performed alongside some of the most outstanding national and local musicians of our time such as Elias Haslanger, Tito Carillo, Daniel Dufour, Peggy Stern, Hank Hemsoth, Mara Kaye, Matt Berger, Bruce Saunders, Rosie Flores, Jim Stringer, Mark Scott III, and Sam Howden. As a member of the Dirty River Jazz Band based in San Antonio, TX, she has toured the country with them and The Grand Ol’ Production Company for their “Grand Ol’ Americana Show” and “Grand Ol’ Christmas Show” productions.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for TXST Gaspar Apolinar | Bachelor Recital! Gaspar Apolinar – Tenor Saxophone Jesús Ruiz – Alto Saxophone Cesar Torres – Trombone James Rubino – Piano Braedan Connolly – Bass Nic Chacon – Drums Gaspar Apolinar is a saxophonist based in San Marcos, Texas, and a current student at Texas State University. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Gaspar picked up the saxophone at the age of 13 and fell in love with jazz shortly after. Now, Gaspar spends his time pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance, studying with various great musicians and educators such as Tito Carrillo, Carter Arrington, Dr. Joey Colarusso, and currently, award-winning saxophonist Joel Frahm. Gaspar's playing blends the intense and passionate sounds of saxophonists such as John Coltrane and Bob Berg with the fluid and melodic playing of Ralph Moore and Sonny Stitt, establishing him as a unique sound in the Central Texas jazz scene.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Nellie McKay! Nellie McKay – Vocal and Piano Nellie McKay has released an eclectic bunch of critically acclaimed albums, her songs and sound ranging from jazz to pop to indefinable, and with her latest, HEY GUYS, WATCH THIS, ably assisted by The Carpenter Ants, she taps into the soulful sounds of West Virginia. Coming soon, the GET AWAY FROM ME demos on Omnivore Records. She's won a Broadway Theatre World Award for Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, co-created/starred in off-Broadway's Old Hats, created musical biographies of Barbara Graham, Rachel Carson, Joan Rivers, & Billy Tipton ('Best Concerts of the Year' - The New York Times). As well as acting in the films PS I Love You & Downtown Express, Nellie provided music for Rumor Has It, Monster-In-Law, Last Holiday, Gasland, Private Life, & PS I Love You. Her TV appearances include David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Craig Ferguson, The View, and Jimmy Dore, and her music has been heard on Mad Men, Weeds, Boardwalk Empire, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, and Nurse Jackie. Most recently Nellie was nominated for an Ovation Award for her performance in Ethan Coen's A Play is a Poem at the Mark Taper Forum. McKay is a recipient of PETA's Humanitarian Award for her dedication to animal rights, & she is a vocal critic of endless war, capitalism, & the two-party system that sustains them.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Julie Slim & Rendezvous | Women of Note: Songs and Stories! Julie Slim – Vocals Shawn Ellison – Piano Paul Klemperer – Saxophone, Clarinet & Flute Shirley Johnson – Accordion Chris Jones – Upright Bass Joe McCreary – Drums 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. “Singing is musical storytelling that heals while opening the heart to new possibilities.”

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for AJS Presents: Daniel Durham Quintet! Elena Diaz – Vocals Brian Donohue – Tenor Saxophone Daniel Raynaud – Piano Daniel Durham – Bass TBA – Drums Native Austinite Daniel Durham has been performing on stage for 25 years. At a very young age it was clear that he had the ear to be a musician. As a young teenager, Daniel was performing with some of Austin’s top jazz musicians. In 2008, after years of performing professionally in Austin, Daniel was offered a scholarship to study at the world-renowned New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. His main teachers there included Rakalam Bob Moses, George Garzone, John Lockwood, Cecil McBee, Jamey Haddad, Oscar Stagnaro, Jerry Bergonzi, John McNeil, Jerry Leake, among other world-class musicians. Independently, Daniel has also studied extensively with the great Jovino Santos Neto. After years of intensive training, Daniel returned home to Austin to very quickly become one of Austin’s top-call bassists. His unique harmonic sensibility, intricate knowledge of many world rhythms and keen sense of melody allow Daniel to fit into to any musical situation. From straight-ahead jazz as a founding member of Elias Haslanger’s Church on Monday, to playing salsa, cumbia, son and merengue with Luis Angel Ibañez, forró with Grupo Massa, rock with Alejandro Escovedo, pops with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the blasphemously avant-garde Tonal Regions, modern Cuban Jazz with Yaniel Matos, Daniel’s bass work always seems to serve the music properly, regardless of style or aesthetic. Due to severe illness and life-threatening health issues, Daniel disappeared from the Austin music scene for several years. By nothing short of a miracle, Daniel fought his way back to health and is performing in Austin regularly. He currently holds a residency at Nica on 4th in downtown Austin.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Austin Django Project! Jamey Cummins – Guitar Jake Harrell – Guitar Phil Spencer – Bass Alen Cileli – Violin Ben Saffer – Clarinet Lead by Jamey Cummins, The Austin Django Project is a collective of Austin-based guitarists and string players. Honoring one of the greatest to ever do it, the collective brings to life the inspired work of the father of Gypsy Jazz, Django Reinhardt.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for Atlas Maior! Joshua Thomson – Alto Saxophone, Hulusi Josh Peters – Oud Bendir James Suter - Upright Bass Gray Parsons - Drums Palindromlar is Atlas Maior’s latest creative effort informed by the band’s experiences touring in Morocco during the Spring of 2024. This 10 song full-length vinyl LP (to be released 10/11/25 on Dead Red Queen Records) is an improvised sequel to Atlas Maior’s 2014 effort Palindrome.This evening at Monks Jazz will serve as the band’s 2025 midwest tour send off show, and vinyl release celebration. In 2024 Atlas Maior completed an extensive 12-date tour throughout Morocco, Madrid, and Barcelona while supporting vinyl LP Hadal Deluxe Edition (released 6/7/24) which has garnered positive reviews and media placement from Jazziz Magazine, Medium, PRI The World, New York Daily Music, Jazz Journal, Afropop Worldwide, Song Lines, & in 2019 were named City of Austin Cultural Ambassadors. In 2023 Atlas Maior was a recipient of the City of Austin’s Live Music Fund grant.

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert celebrating the Brad Leali Jazz Ensemble feat. Carla Helmbrecht! Personnel TBA The sensitive and sophisticated vocal stylings of Carla Helmbrecht is the perfect complement to the soulful, blues- and swing-influenced style of the Brad Leali ensemble. Not only do they explore classic jazz standards and original material, but they are able to infuse historical and modern components to their unique arrangements. This dynamic duo will be joined tonight by Brad’s GROOVE-tet, a 10-piece large band with a powerful and swinging sound. About Brad Leali: With a unique style and sound that echo the influences of his past, Brad Leali is one of the most notable saxophonists of current times. Leali toured and recorded with numerous jazz greats, including several years with Harry Connick, Jr. and later with the Count Basie Orchestra. Leali was a standing member of the Kennedy Center Honors Band and performed for President Obama’s first inaugural celebration. He tours and is a featured soloist with the Grammy-winning musician and actor, Lyle Lovett. Brad is currently the Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the University of North Texas. “Saxophonist Brad Leali was among the most soulful and exciting I’ve heard recently.” – New York Times “His solos are sparkling and Cannonball Adderley influenced.”
– Evening Standard (London, England) About Carla Helmbrecht: Grammy-nominated singer/song-writer, Carla Helmbrecht, began her love affair with music at a young age. Her recording ONE FOR MY BABY earned a prominent position on Gavin’s Jazz Chart, while BE COOL BE KIND debuted as "the most added jazz record on radio in the nation" and received three Grammy nominations. Carla is a featured artist on numerous other recordings, television and major motion picture films. She lives in San Francisco – performing, recording, teaching. She tours nationally and internationally. “… imaginative…poetic and sophisticated…She’s hip without being frenetic, laid-back without sounding haphazard, and best of all, the lady swings without sweating…the lyric writer’s best friend.” – Harvey Siders, JazzTimes “She exudes warmth in spades…An unusually gifted vocalist, impeccable phrasing…steeped in a swinging jazz sensibility that reminds me of Mel Torme….” – Carol Archer, R & R Magazine

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Mitch Watkins Quartet! Mitch Watkins – Guitar Paul Glasse – Mandolin Chris Maresh – Bass Mike Gordon – Drums Guitarist/producer/composer/educator, Mitch Watkins is equally at home in both the jazz clubs and the concert stage. A native Texan, Watkins has toured and recorded with many diverse artists, including Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Austin favorite Bob Schneider, Grammy-winning choral group Conspirare, and the late Leonard Cohen (Watkins accompanied Cohen on his final world tour). Aside from Watkins’ seven recordings as a leader, he has appeared as a sideman on many diverse recordings, and has appeared on major television shows such as “The Tonight Show”, “Late Night with David Letterman”, and, of course, “Austin City Limits”.