Hello friends, it’s that time of year again. Would you take a moment to vote in the Austin Chronicle Music Poll? It’s easy and helps me spread the word about my music. Simply click the link below, fill out your info and scroll down to Best Performing Bands–>Jazz and enter my name. Next, scroll down to Best Austin Musicians–>Horn Player(s) and enter my name. Thanks for your consideration!
Austin Chronicle Music Poll
Eli and Alejandro
I recently had the opportunity to go into the studio for Alejandro Escovedo’s latest recording which is due out April of 2012. Producing the session was Tony Visconti who played bass and recorded with David Bowie for over 12 years (including some of his biggest hits like Fame, Young Americans, etc.). My partner in crime was Mr. Ephraim Owens on trumpet and I even played bari sax on a couple of cuts thanks to friend Scotty McIntosh who let me use his horn.
I first came to know about Alejandro way back in the 80′s when he was playing with the True Believers, an Austin super group featuring 3 guitar players (including Jon Dee Graham). Over the years, he’s recorded many, many great records under his own name and has become an Austin legend – playing with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and touring the country constantly. I first started playing with Alejandro last spring when Ephraim asked me to play at SXSW for Alejandro’s big show at the San Jose Hotel.
Eli and Ephraim
The session took place at Jim Eno’s studio called Public Hi-Fi and it was a really quick, fun day. Jim plays drums with Spoon and has built a really cool spot that is comfortable and sounds great. Tony was incredibly quick as he and guitarist David Pulkingham came up with the horn parts on the spot and Ephraim and I put them down. It’s days like this where the stars align and you feel like anything is possible as a musician. If only there were more opportunities like this! At this point in my life, however, I know that these are rare moments so I took a bunch of pictures and tried to take it all in. Alejandro asked us to play SXSW again this Spring so look for us on stage in the parking lot of the San Jose Hotel in a few months. Happy New Year!
As 2011 closes and we move toward a new year, I wish you all the very best and hope you have a healthy, prosperous 2012. It’s been a whirl-wind couple of months but I’m so fortunate to have been able to make some great jazz saxophone music along the way.
Dr. James Polk telling one of his famous stories
One of the highlights for me was the ability to go into the recording studio with Dr. James Polk, Austin jazz icon and former musical director for Ray Charles for many years. Dr. Polk played on my first CD, Standards, and I was thrilled to be able to have him play on my latest effort. Recorded in two days at Churchhouse Studios just before Thanksgiving, the new CD will feature Dr. Polk on Hammond B3 organ, Jake Langley on guitar, Daniel Durham on bass and Scott Laningham on drums.
The program features two new original compositions and eight standards that I arranged for the group. In contrast to my last CD Dream Story, which features all original compositions and is heavily influenced by the nuanced style of Wayne Shorter, this CD is very accessible, swinging and just feels good. Nothing wrong with that!
I’m going back into the studio next week to mix the recording and I hope to have it ready to release sometime in Feb or March – before SXSW. If you are interested in participating in this recording with me, please consider joining Patronism.com where 100% of your subscription goes to finishing this CD. Thanks for reading and enjoy your holiday!
Hello friends, the jazz saxophone concert Casa Karen concert was a huge success! Thanks to the great audience who really made it a special night and to the musicians, Bruce Saunders, Angelo Lembesis, Daniel Durham, and Steve Schwelling who played beautifully. Finally big thanks to George Oldziey and Suzi Stern for opening their wonderful space to us so we could perform.
I’ve added my performances for December on the Shows page which includes a date this Friday, December 9 at The Elephant Room. The band features Pete Rodriguez on trumpet, Scott Laningham on drums, Daniel Durham on bass and Ben Irom on piano. We start at 9:30pm and play ’til the wee hours. Hope to see you tomorrow night.
I’m pleased to announce that on Saturday, December 3, The Elias Haslanger Quintet featuring Angelo Lembesis, Bruce Saunders, Steve Schwelling and Daniel Durham will play an exclusive concert at Casa Karen, one of Austin’s finest listening rooms.
The Casa Karen concert series is produced by George Oldziey and Suzi Stern, fantastic musicians in their own right, who have carefully created the perfect listening environment. The setting is George and Suzi’s living room, where listeners are up-close and personal with the musicians and without the usual distractions of bar talk, wait-staff or less-than-ideal seating. Every seat is perfect and the room is filled with the amazing sounds of the 9-foot grand piano which is really something to hear.
Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20. Free refreshments and treats of all sorts! Casa Karen is located at 7402 Greehaven Dr 78757 call for more info and reservations which are recommended: 512-459-9900 credit card payment accepted. This series is very popular and seating is limited so please, call now for reservations.
Hello friends, I’m running a bit behind this month but I have posted my November performances on the Shows page. Highlights include a November 18 gig on alto sax playing the part of Cannonball for a birthday tribute to Nat Adderly.
I also will be featuring two fantastic musicians on my November 11 gig at the Elephant Room: Peter Stoltzman on piano and Pete Rodriguez on trumpet. Mr. Stoltzman, an accomplished pianist has recently accepted a teaching job in Chicago but he’s back for a rare appearance. Mr. Rodriguez has recently returned to us from NYC and is a true talent on trumpet.
Finally, I was asked to sit in with the Bo-Keys, a Memphis-soul band, at the Continental Club this month on November 10. Full horn section with a serious groove.
I’m excited to announce that I’m digitally re-releasing my very first jazz saxophone and composition recording called The Journey. Originally recorded and released as a demo in 1993, The Journey features 6 original compositions and 3 arrangements of classic standards performed by Rich Harney on piano, Jeff Haley on bass, Chris Searles on drums, Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Freddie Mendoza on trombone.
Listen to a single track called Monk in Mind right here, below. If you are interested in the entire recording, which is out of print, become my patron by subscribing to Patronism.com where you’ll have access to this recording plus my 4 other CD’s and a live recording from a KUT Studio 1A radio broadcast. All of this and a lot more content (6 CDs!) for as little as $2 per month for a 1yr subscription. Learn more at Patronism.com/EliasHaslanger.
Monk in Mind by Cherrywood Records
Hello friends – unfortunately, the Serpentine show this Wednesday, 10/19 has been cancelled. Please look for another show update with this exciting group, soon.
I will be playing jazz saxophone with the 3 Jazz Collective this Friday, 10/21 at Sao Paulo’s restaurant. We play at 7:30pm for 2 sets. The band plays a variety of styles including compositions from Tom Jobim, John Coltrane, Wayner Shorter and more. Sao Paulo’s has great food and there’s a nice space up front to listen to the music.
I’m playing with my quintet at the Elephant Room this Friday, October 14 from 9:30pm-1:30am. Come join us as we play original jazz and some classics from the Blue Note era.
Reminder to check out Patronism.com to see how you can support my efforts to make a new jazz cd.
I’ve posted my October calendar >>here<< Highlights include a show with the Bob Meyer Concept Orchestra at the Elephant Room and with Serpentine at Momo’s Club. I hope to see you out and about this month.