Monks Jazz! No parachute! “Kevin!”

Pianist, Collin Shook has changed the landscape of jazz in Austin. In this episode, we talk about the evolution of Monks from pop-up shows in bicycle shops to the institution it is today, the elements that contribute to his considerations as a bandleader, and the immediate panic induced from missed calls and out of town gigs.

FEATURED RELEASE:

Collin Shook

“Piano Tuning Suite” (2019)

Getting to Know: Collin!

Collin Shook, native to Dallas, Texas, is a jazz pianist, composer, and double bassist. Studying instruments from all around the bandstand through high school, Collin moved to Austin in 2007, before moving to Tucson where he performed and recorded from 2009 to 2014. Returning to Austin in 2014, he became an in-demand side man, primarily as a jazz pianist, steady work as a double bassist in folk and Americana bands, and began tuning pianos professionally, a hobby he’s had since he was 17 years old, servicing pianos for many Austin venues, festivals, notable Texan artists.

In collaboration with the art co-op Topology in East Austin, Collin created Monks Jazz Club, a pop-up listening room concept in September 2016. Inspired by the small jazz rooms around the world, along with his experiences gigging over a decade, this twice-a-month or so series provided a space for musicians and fans to experience the music with a performance hall vibe in a small club setting. Collin has hosted nearly 100 pop-up events, each event at varying DIY spaces such as art galleries, cafes, breweries/distilleries, and bicycle shops. Since the pandemic, Monks transitioned to live-streaming, producing over 200+ livestreams at Shook’s studio space doubling as his piano servicing venture, East Austin Piano Shop.

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel here!