And All That Jazz
New Austin organization brings jazz and chamber music to cool venues around town
Grammy Award-winning group Time For Three will kick off the inaugural season of ATX Chamber Music and Jazz.
Austinites know how to find and drop into a live show downtown. (Even reading this may seem silly, but it’s not so easy in other parts of the country.) Yet even here, many have never ventured into a jazz club — what if they’re not, well, jazzy enough
Nevertheless, the city continues to live up to its self-proclaimed title as Live Music Capital of the World, as a new nonprofit invites audiences in for a better understanding of some more heady genres. A lineup of renowned classical and jazz performers will sound off during the first concert season of ATX Chamber Music and Jazz this fall.
The organization announced that the inaugural season will premiere on October 6 and 7, with performances by Grammy Award-winning ensemble Time for Three (TF3). The group will set the tone for the blended season to come, starting with its mix of Americana, modern pop, and classical music.
Throughout the 2023-2024 season, audiences can expect a unique concert experience that ATX Music hopes will elevate audience engagement through pre-concert discussions, artist meet-and-greets, and lively happy hours.
The annual series will feature events at a variety of venues, from large concerts at the Paramount Theater to more intimate, exclusive ones at the Parker Jazz Club and the Pershing Club — both of which many casual listeners may never have ventured into before. (Chamber music is, as a genre, created for small spaces.) Other free events will take place in community venues like libraries and schools.
“There has never been anything like ATX Music in Austin before,” said ATX Music Co-Founder, CEO, and Co-Artistic Director Geoffrey Herd in a release. “At our intimate events, audiences will have unparalleled access to the greatest artists of our time, while also enjoying luxury culinary and social experiences. At our large-format events, our goal is to share our incredible artists with as many people as possible."
Herd cofounded ATX Music this year, alongside friend and philanthropist Peter Naimoli. With their artistic and business backgrounds, they aim to make classical and jazz music an immersive experience accessible for all. And Austin’s eclectic background was the perfect setting for it.
“Austin is a great home base for our organization,” said ATX Music Co-Artistic Director, Anna Petrova. “The city has a robust and passionate audience of music lovers and listeners, and its innovative vibe and youthful energy make an ideal landscape to develop a unique series such as ours.”
ATX Music will host a highly accomplished team of musicians as part of its resident chamber music society, Ensemble ATX. The inaugural roster will include national talents like Geoffrey Herd (violin), Clive Greensmith (cello), Anna Petrova (piano), Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt (viola), and Molly Carr (viola).
The premiere concert featuring TF3 will be held Friday, October 6, at 7:30 pm at Paramount Theatre. On Saturday, October 7, at 7:30 pm, audiences can reconvene at the Pershing Club to meet the Grammy-Award winners, enjoy an art show featuring local creatives, hear music by more local jazz musicians, and taste Austin-inspired food and specialty cocktails.
Audiences may especially look forward to one event on December 2, when Ensemble ATX will join legendary French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet at the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Mansion.
For more information, tickets, and future events visit atxmusic.com.
