Jazz scene growing in downtown Austin as new clubs draw crowds, musicians

Jazz clubs are on the rise within downtown Austin’s live music scene, drawing new listeners and providing opportunities for young musicians.

AUSTIN, Texas — The soulful sounds of jazz are filling downtown Austin, where a growing collection of clubs is helping bring the genre to a new generation of listeners.

At Parker Jazz Club, owner Kris Kimura commands the stage as musicians perform for a crowd looking for something beyond Austin’s more familiar live-music offerings.

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“Most people don’t think jazz when they think of Austin,” Kimura said. “I think we’re changing that.”

For some patrons, the music is a longtime favorite. Edrick “Coach Flo” Floreal, a UT Austin track and field coach, said jazz offers a slower, smoother groove than the music many younger listeners prefer.

“For me, it’s perfect,” Floreal said.

Lani Sanchez, who is from Louisiana, said jazz is also part of her roots.

“Being from Louisiana, it’s kind of just in my blood,” Sanchez said.

Kimura opened Parker Jazz Club in 2018 through a partnership. His neighboring bar, Nica on 4th, will celebrate its first anniversary next month.

Kimura said the two businesses allow him to focus on his passion for music while relying on a talented operations partner to manage the other side of the business.

Austin’s jazz scene is expanding

Michael Mordecai, president of the Austin Jazz Society, said jazz has always had a presence in Austin, but he believes the local scene is stronger than ever.

“There’s always been jazz here, but it’s never been as vibrant as it is today,” Mordecai said.

Mordecai pointed to the concentration of jazz clubs downtown, including Parker Jazz Club, Nica on 4th and the Elephant Room.

“Downtown you got three jazz clubs within a golf shot of each other,” Mordecai said.

He also pointed to Monks Jazz Club and other venues around Austin that feature jazz on specific nights.

Parker Jazz Club and Nica on 4th sit in a busy entertainment district surrounded by bars and restaurants that attract large crowds.

Kimura said he doesn’t view the neighboring businesses as competition. Instead, he sees them as an opportunity to draw people into the area for dinner and live music.

“I don’t think where we’re located makes any difference,” Kimura said. “In fact, I think it’s wonderful because we’ve got Capital Grill next to us, we’ve got Red Ash next to us. We’re surrounded by some really high-end restaurants that a lot of folk like to go have a nice dinner and then come to the club.”

Clubs offer opportunities for young musicians

Kimura said the growing jazz community extends beyond downtown Austin.

Students from Texas State University and the University of Texas at Austin music programs also benefit from the city’s jazz scene, he said. Some students get the opportunity to perform live at his clubs, giving them experience playing in front of an audience.

For Kimura, those performances are part of what he hopes will keep Austin’s jazz scene growing.

As more venues make room for the genre, jazz is carving out a larger place in a city known around the world for live music.