Demetreis Thornton | Lower Your Standards Session
Step into an intimate jazz night where the spotlight shines on bold improvisation and fearless young talent. The Demetreis Thornton | Lower Your Standards Session is a live taping and listening-room concert experience, built for people who want to really hear the music.
- Demetreis Thornton leads the evening on bass trombone, joined by a powerhouse trio: Jakob Hartz on piano, Aidan Berg on double bass, and Matias Soto on drums. Together, they stretch classic and modern jazz language into fresh shapes, blending swing, bop, and adventurous improvisation.
- Hailing from El Paso and quickly becoming a must-hear musician in Austin, Demetreis draws on the spirit of legends like JJ Johnson, Curtis Fuller, Steve Davis, Bennie Green, and Slide Hampton. He has already shared the stage with respected artists such as Andre Hayward, Brad Goode, Quincy Davis, Gary Smulyan, Nat Reeves, Graham Reynolds, and Brad Leali.
- A dedicated student of jazz, Demetreis is pursuing his degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Texas. In just a few years he has become a familiar sound across the city: composing, arranging, teaching, and performing in ensembles of every size, always putting the music first.
- This session is a live taping, so expect a true listening-room atmosphere. A whisper-only policy keeps the room focused and quiet, turning every note, brushstroke, and bass line into part of a captured performance you get to witness from the inside.
- The vibe is relaxed and personal: the room is BYOB, with cold still and sparkling water available for purchase, plus ice, wine keys, and cups on hand. Bring your favorite drink, settle in, and let the band pull you deep into the music.
- Doors open early so you can claim your ideal listening seat, catch the pre-show buzz, and watch the space transform from casual hangout into a focused recording environment right as the first tune kicks off.
If you love discovering rising jazz artists up close, hearing every nuance of a horn line, and being part of a room that treats the music like a living, breathing conversation, this Lower Your Standards Session belongs on your calendar.
The Venue
Monks Jazz Club is a vibrant haven for jazz lovers in Austin, celebrating the spirit of improvisation, creativity, and community. Born as a pop-up listening room, this club has blossomed into a state-of-the-art audio and video recording studio and event space, curating mesmerizing concerts by some of the finest jazz musicians in the region.
The club’s founder, jazz pianist Collin Shook, set out to foster an intimate and casual alternative to loud bars and costly halls. Today, Monks Jazz Club offers a listening-room experience where audiences can fully appreciate the artistry of live jazz and enjoy high-quality video and audio tapings from each performance.
- Features an intimate setting perfect for dedicated listening
- Regularly hosts top local and touring jazz artists
- Welcomes fans of all ages
- BYOB events for a relaxed, community feel
- Live and livestreamed concert tapings with exceptional production quality
- Recognized as “Best Virtual Listening Room” by local jazz enthusiasts
- Convenient onsite parking options and friendly staff
Monks Jazz Club is a must-visit Austin destination for anyone who wants to experience live jazz in its purest form.