Rent Party hit the Austin swing jazz scene in 2015 and has since played countless bars, clubs, dances and private events in an around the city and beyond.
Comprising an eclectic group of Austin transplants, Rent Party brings a unique blend of players from varied musical backgrounds and influences. This diversity manifests in a fresh blend of hot jazz, vintage swing, and jazz manouche. In 2020 Rent Party released their first full length album "High Five and Rotate" containing a fresh mix of original tunes and classic jazz standards. Lineup: Sarah Ulloa - Vocals / Drums Jamey Cummins - Guitar / Vocals Jake Harrell - Guitar David Jellema - Cornet/Clarinet Alen Cileli - Violin Phil Spencer - Bass |
Colin Hancock is a GRAMMY nominated Jazz historian and cornetist originally from Austin, TX. He specializes in the music of the Jazz age, and has led several bands across the country including the Red Hot Eight, the Jazz Serenaders, and the Original Cornell Syncopators.
In addition to performing and researching the roots of jazz and swing, Colin also specializes in vintage recording techniques, including cutting his own 78rpm records. Lineup: Cornet: Colin Hancock Reeds: Jonathan Doyle Guitar: Jamey Cummins Bass: Ryan Gould Piano: Shane Dickens |
Saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and arranger Jonathan Doyle lives in Port Townsend WA in the Pacific Northwest. He has had an impressive career that has allowed him to perform professionally on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, Preservation Hall, Austin City Limits TV show, Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, in the famous Spiegeltent, Chichen Itza, and major festivals such as Chicago Jazz Fest, Chicago Blues Fest, New Orleans Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, Detroit Jazz Fest, Umbria Jazz Fest, Port Ferry Folk Festival, WOMADelaide World Music Festival, and Festival International in Lafayette. He’s also busked on street corners from New Orleans and Mexico to Australia and Europe.
Jonathan grew up and got his musical start in the Chicago area. In the mid-90s he left DePaul’s School of Music to begin playing professionally, at first with the Mighty Blue Kings and then the Four Charms. In 2004, Mr. Doyle moved to Austin to pursue his love of acoustic and roots music afresh. After a brief stint with the Asylum Street Spankers, he went on to freelance in Central Texas’ vibrant traditional jazz, swing, and western swing scenes, playing with well-established acts such as Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel, and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, as well being a part of many fine local bands such as Thrift Set Orchestra, Albanie & her Fellas, Stan Smith and the Jazz Pharaohs, Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies, East Side Dandies, White Ghost Shivers, Whit Smith's Hot Jazz Caravan, The Giant Three, and his own projects The Jonathan Doyle Quintet / Swingtet. His time in New Orleans led to touring with the hot jazz and traditional blues band, Tuba Skinny. And his connection to Chicago led to playing with the amazing Fat Babies as well as guitar maestro, Joel Paterson. More recently he has started performing with Naomi & Her Handsome Devils, Hal Smith's Swing Central, The Brooks Prumo Orchestra, Casey MacGill, and the T.O.P Jazz Band! Jonathan is committed to crafting original music as well as studying the American musical traditions. He strives to organize and be a part of bands whose music is rooted, yet distinct. He loves to play for listeners, but also specifically for dancers. He still spends time in Chicago, Austin, and on the road. Lineup: Vocals: Alice Spencer Reeds: Jonathan Doyle Reeds: Lauryn Gould Piano: Dan Walton Bass: Ryan Gould Guitar: JD Pendley Drums: Jason Baczynski Cornet: David Jellema Trombone: Mark Gonzales |
Championing the sound of be-bop pioneer and all-time great guitarist, Charlie Christian, is Austin, Texas’ aptly named “The Charlie Christians.”
Born out of the Monday night swing music scene of recent years at the Sahara Lounge is this group who pays homage to, but without strictly replicating, the sound of the famous late 30s - early 40s Benny Goodman Sextet, which featured Christian on guitar, as well as Lionel Hampton on vibes. Utilizing two electric guitars (JD Pendley and Lindsay Greene), flute and saxophone (Lauryn Gould), string bass (Joshua Hoag), and drum set (Jason Baczynski), they adopt many iconic moments contained in the sextet’s original recordings, often harmonizing riffs and solos that showcase the genius that was Charlie Christian as well as the unique swing styles of this current “C.C.’s” lineup. Their music is inventive, accessible, in the pocket, and great for dancing and listening. Lineup: Guitar: JD Pendley Guitar: Lindsay Greene Flute/Sax: Lauryn Gould Drums: Jason Baczynski Bass: Josh Hoag |
The Hot Club of Austin plays some of the best jazz manouche you’ll find anywhere in Texas. Originally founded in the late nineties by guitarist and vocalist Luke Hill and featuring numerous talent-rich lineups throughout the years, The Hot Club of Austin has put together a brand new line-up in 2015 with one purpose in mind: to play jazz manouche as originally envisioned by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in Paris in the 1930’s.
The Hot Club of Austin is: Luke Hill – Guitar, Vocals Alen Cileli – Violin Jamey Cummins – Guitar Phil Spencer – Upright bass |