Mitch Watkins Trio

If you love guitar that tells a life story with every note, the Mitch Watkins Trio is a night you don’t want to miss.

Mitch picked up the guitar at 13, playing in a surf band down in McAllen, Texas. Fast-forward a few decades and that same kid with a six-string is touring the globe with the legendary Leonard Cohen, appearing on celebrated tours and albums while quietly becoming one of Austin’s most revered jazz musicians.

JazzTimes Magazine calls him “a man for all musical seasons,” and it fits. Watkins moves effortlessly from lyrical ballads to driving fusion, from smoky standards to modern, harmonically rich originals. With his trio behind him, those textures get even deeper—expect nimble bass lines, inventive drumming, and interplay that feels almost telepathic.

• Date: May 19, 2026
• Time: 6:00 pm
• Artist: Mitch Watkins Trio
• Vibe: Intimate, world-class jazz in a classic basement club setting

This is the kind of show where you can sit back with a drink, sink into the groove, and suddenly realize you’ve just spent an hour utterly lost in the music. One moment you’ll hear echoes of the global stages Watkins has played; the next, you’ll catch the relaxed, deeply rooted feel of a Texas-born guitarist who has nothing left to prove—except how good live jazz can still be.

Whether you’re a devoted jazz head, a Leonard Cohen fan tracking down his longtime guitarist, or simply someone who wants a soundtrack for a perfect Austin evening, the Mitch Watkins Trio will make May 19 feel like a special occasion.