Austin’s Best Listening Room Experience

Words Abby L. Johnson |  Photos Baptiste Despois  

It’s probably the most tired question the uninitiated can ask about the century-old art form: Is jazz dead? Careful observers of the Austin music scene will answer with an astounding negative. But it’s asked for a reason, and one that Collin Shook, jazz pianist and proprietor of Monks, has sat with for some time. 

Live jazz is often assigned to the oddball Tuesday night at the bar that needs to be filled or as the background at some buzzy brunch spot. With less frequent exposure to the classic style, “A lot of people consider jazz [is] what you hear in the background of a TV show,” says Collin. The down-to-earth musician and venue owner hopes to make the art form not only accessible to Austinites on a regular basis but to also present it in a way that listeners, whether longtime fans or first time explorers, have the opportunity to experience the joy of improvisational artistry. 

Collin breaks down a three-party relationship theory of a live music ecosystem as he sees it: the audience, artist, and venue, each playing a role in creating a healthy environment. But there is a power imbalance in this equation, and, invoking the words of Spiderman, Collin acknowledges that with great power comes responsibility. “The parties who hold the most power are the venue owner and the managers,” he adds.

Did You Know? As a semi-retired performer, owner Collin used to play 25 nights a month but now plays about 10 shows a year.

In fact, many places in Austin have a jazz night, but “so many people have never gone into a room and heard a tenor sax player, an upright bassist, a drummer with really splashy cymbals, and a piano player really get into it,” explains Collin. 

Monks offers audiences just that: an intentional listening room, putting the musicians at the forefront of the evening. The front room, which consists of the seating area and stage, is approximately 900 square feet and accommodates about 60 guests. The intimacy of the room creates an immersive, distraction-free ambience unlike any other live music experience in town. The proximity to the performers is captivating in and of itself, and the house rules ensure that listeners are fully immersed.

While drinks are allowed (currently BYOB), talking and texting are not. What Collin refers to as the “Alamo Drafthouse rule” not only creates a greater experience for the performers and attendees alike, it also allows Collin to produce extraordinarily high-quality livestream performances using multitrack recording, bringing the breadth of the live sound to listeners at home.  

Getting There: Tickets are available online, and a convenient seating map allows guests to choose where they’d like to sit. There is plenty of room in the on-site parking lot, but arrive early to ensure a spot. Bring your favorite brew and settle in for the experience.

About nine of every ten performances feature local musicians, with touring acts coming through the doors from time to time. “I get a lot of great feedback from the musicians who play here. A lot of people say it’s their favorite place to play,” says Collin. As a semi-retired full-time performer turned venue owner, he knows how to make the experience a positive one for all parties. 

Places like Monks set out to go beyond just selling drinks and filling a room. They also strive to create a platform to uplift artists who are the life blood of the live music industry. “It’s just up to the club owners and managers to try something and execute it.” Collin smiles and adds, “Jazz isn’t dying, honestly. It’s a timeless art form.” 

Contact:
501 Pedernales St.
monksjazz.com