Article Contributed by DL Media
Published on 2026-05-11
A longtime fixture on the central Texas jazz scene, Austin native Elias Haslanger presents Legacy, his 9th recording as a leader. Dedicated to the great mentors Haslanger has had, this all-original program of music is a modern jazz recording, drawing from the rich legacy of the jazz tradition. From the title track “Legacy,” which bounces from hard bop to afro-cuban rhythms, to the ballad “Gentle Giant” which reflects shades of Wayne Shorter, each song offers a vignette of Haslanger’s life as a modern artist.
“Because I am a life-long learner and have such deep respect for the artists and music that came before me, that will naturally come through in my writing. I also believe that creative music is best when it reflects the attitudes and rhythms of today, so each song marks a different feeling, time, or place in my life,” Haslanger says.
“Faith in Family” is a stand-out track that is an emotional love letter to his family, which Haslanger describes as “the rock on which I build my foundation." Songs like “A View of the City," “Going Home,” and “Sweet Relief” all were written while Haslanger was living in Brooklyn, New York, and touring with trumpet icon Maynard Ferguson. Each offers insight into life on the road and life in the big city.
“Touring with Maynard while living in NYC was a thrill of a lifetime. Maynard taught me so much about performing and how to interact with an audience. He also was a fountain of information about the music, sharing countless first-hand stories about Bird, Wayne (Shorter), Louis Armstrong, Miles, and so many others. Life on the road can be challenging, but the experience was very important to my development,” recounts Elias.
Since returning to Austin from Brooklyn, Haslanger has had an active career – performing, composing and recording. His band, Church on Monday, founded with legendary pianist and organ player Dr. James Polk, is the winner of 5 Austin Music Awards, including Best Jazz and Best Residency at The Continental Club Gallery. Since 2012, Haslanger has led a weekly show at The Gallery in front of an enthusiastic audience of music lovers. The band has released 3 recordings, all of which have been played and streamed on stations across the world. LIVE At The Gallery was recognized by Downbeat as one of the best recordings of the year when it was released.
Haslanger, remembering Dr. Polk: “My time standing next to the great Dr. James Polk every Monday for Church on Monday – for over a decade – is something that is hard to describe. His feeling, his soul, his language, his very presence was a monumental force in my life and the life of many others. I’m proud to be a part of his legacy.”
Haslanger was also mentored by the patriarch of the modern jazz scene, Ellis Marsalis, who collaborated and recorded on Haslanger’s award-winning release, Kicks are for Kids.
“Ellis was a man of few words, but when he did speak, the weight of those words meant more. He had an elegance and sophistication about him, and always took the music quite seriously. I am honored that he recorded with me, and the words of wisdom he imparted sing in my head daily. I am indebted to him and to an entire generation of elders like him who lived and breathed the music, and who took the time to pass on their legacy to me,” remembers Haslanger.
Haslanger has obviously learned from these master musicians, and he honors their legacies with this recording: ten modern, original compositions that tell a life story from a unique point of view. One that is highly personal and musical with influences from the past and sounds that point to the future.
Haslanger has assembled some of the best musicians in the country for this session, including his partner, Mike Sailors on trumpet and flugelhorn. Haslanger collaborated with Sailors for their joint release in 2024, Elias Haslanger Meets Mike Sailors. Sailors is a sought-after instrumentalist and an accomplished performer, writer, and arranger, penning arrangements for Decca Records, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Dewey Redman and Lady Gaga, to name a few.
Joining Haslanger and Sailors are Andy Langham on piano (Pancho Sanchez, Christian McBride, Ernie Watts); Ross Margitza on piano (Phil Woods, Russell Malone, Gerald Wilson, Christian McBride); Daniel Dufour on drums (Seamus Blake, Alexander Claffy, Joel Frahm); and Ryan Hagler (Aubrey Logan, Melissa Aldana, Jazzmeia Horn) on bass.
These highly accomplished musicians have successful playing and teaching careers in the United States and beyond. Together, they effortlessly weave Haslanger’s story together through these elegantly crafted compositions with a group sound that is cohesive, flexible, and highly interactive. This band has played together for years and the results demonstrate their natural camaraderie.
A sweeping retrospective of Haslanger’s life and career in music is captured here in Legacy. This recording is not a sentimental look into the past, but a vibrant representation of today, and a glimpse into the life and times of an ever evolving and growing artist.
“Elias’s CD (Kicks) is very much in the Jazz group concept of today. It is obvious he has spent the time to reach a level of excellence that is commendable.” – Ellis Marsalis
2026 PERFORMANCES
May 11 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
May 18 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
May 25 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
May 29 - Monk's Jazz, Austin, TX
June 1 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
June 8 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
June 12 - The Elephant Room, Austin, TX
June 15 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
June 19 - Monk's Jazz, Austin, TX
June 22 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
June 29 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
July 6 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
July 10 - The Elephant Room, Austin, TX
July 13 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
July 20 - The Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
July 25 - Monks Jazz Club, Austin, TX
August 4 - Jazz, TX, San Antonio, TX
