Matt Muehling and Ryan Hagler have known and made music with each other for nearly two decades. When the pair linked up with Dayne Reliford and Adam Jackson in the Austin jazz scene, the quartet discovered not only a mutual respect, but a special musical connection. JARS (Just a Rhythm Section) is a meeting of the minds in many ways, most notably in that each band member feels driven to explore music deeply and spontaneously. When JARS performs together they invite the audience along for the ride in the spirit of unpredictability and adventure.
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Matt Muehling is one of the Austin Jazz scene's forward thinking and industrious luminaries. As a guitarist and songwriter, you can hear him with internationally recognized fusion outfit Progger, or performing under his solo moniker: MTM. Matt strives to bring an energized, creative, and informed approach to traditional and modern jazz repertoire, while maintaining a sensitive, spontaneous, and interactive presence to share with co-artists and audiences alike.
Dayne Reliford is a pianist, arranger, and composer from Houston, Texas. His musical journey started at the age of 5 when his grandparents enrolled him in lessons after seeing him gravitate toward their upright piano as a toddler. During his stints at the Summer Jazz Workshop from 2013-2015, he found his affinity for jazz. In December of 2020, Dayne graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. He works as a freelance musician in Austin and has shared the stage with artists including Sam Houston, Eimeral Sol, The Michael Hale Trio featuring Mac Macintosh, Big Wy’s Brass Band, Andre Hayward, Michael Malone, Hannibal Marvin Peterson, and others.
Austin native Ryan Hagler has been making music since the age of 10. Originally a trumpet player, his interest in heavy metal music led him to the electric bass, and a penchant for improvisation led him to jazz and the double bass. He holds bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees in jazz studies from the University of North Texas, where he studied under Lynn Seaton and Jeffry Eckels. He spent two years as a member of the acclaimed One O'Clock Lab Band, with whom he recorded two albums, "Lab 2008", and the GRAMMY-nominated "Lab 2009". From 2012 to 2020, Ryan served as professor of bass and ensembles at the College of Music of La Universidad San Francisco de Quito, in Ecuador. Ryan has performed in many international ensembles and has shared the stage with Bernard Wright, Melissa Aldana, Mike Moreno, Misha Piatigorsky, Quamon Fowler, Shelley Carroll, Jason Thomas, Ephraim Owens, and many more.
Coming from the Northwest by way of the Northeast, Adam Jackson is a dynamic and versatile drummer. He began his musical journey in church at the age of 8, and would later become more serious after learning to play Jazz in middle and high school. At 18, Adam moved to NYC where he attended New School and had the pleasure of working with many great artists such as Emily King, Jose James, Takuya Kuroda, and Bilal. As a recent transplant to Austin, Adam is excited to have joined a new, amazing music community. Since relocating he has shared the stage with some of Austin’s finest including James Robinson, Sam Houston, Harry Edohoukwa, Andre Hayward and Elias Haslanger.
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Dayne Reliford - Piano
Matt Muehling - Guitar
Ryan Hagler - Bass
Adam Jackson - Drums
Brian Donohoe - Tenor Saxophone
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One Set at 7:30pm CDT
Grab tickets at jars-aug-16th-monksjazz.eventbrite.com
Watch in 2.5k at youtu.be/E0L6sGTGjDs
