A Time to Rest, Reflect

Posted on December 22, 2011 by admin

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!

Jazz saxophone for December 2011

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

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.

Casa Karen Concert

Posted on November 9, 2011 by admin

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.

Jazz Saxophone for November

Posted on November 4, 2011 by admin

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.

The Journey

Posted on October 26, 2011 by admin

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

Serpentine update

Posted on October 18, 2011 by admin

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.

Jazz Saxophone Oct 14

Posted on October 13, 2011 by admin

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.

October Calendar

Posted on October 3, 2011 by admin

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.

Palladium at Momo’s next Monday

Posted on September 13, 2011 by admin

My electric band Palladium is playing next two Mondays, Sept 19 and Sept 26 at Momo’s Club at 8pm. Palladium features some of the best jazz musicians in Austin and we’ll play a complete set of original compositions that I wrote which reflect a wide variety of influences including Weather Report, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock Headhunters and more. If you like this style of music, I think you are going to dig this band. To hear a sample, go click the “Like” button on the Palladium Facebook bandpage.

Happy Birthday Sonny Rollins

Posted on September 7, 2011 by admin

Sonny Rollins turns 81 today and is undoubtedly one of the finest jazz musicians to ever walk the earth. Countless jazz saxophone players have been influenced by him and I’m no different. His style is unique and he incorporates a myriad of influences into his playing and writing. Known for his collaborations with Clifford Brown, Miles Davis and many others, Sonny is truly a living legend who continues to inspire. Here’s a couple of links for you – the first being an outstanding video by Bret Primack and the second, a link to one of my favorite Sonny records, Saxophone Colossus. Enjoy!

Saxophone Colossus (Remastered) – Sonny Rollins

Elias Haslanger Jazz Saxophone

Author Archives: admin