What we’re about
This is a group for anyone who loves live jazz music. We will meet up at live jazz shows around town to enjoy the music, and support the musicians and jazz scene here in Austin. Come on out for some great live jazz with awesome fellow jazz lovers!
Upcoming events (3)
See all- See Ephraim Owens Fundraiser Sunday September 14th, 2pm Continental ClubContinental Club, Austin, TX
AJS Project Safety Net supports the Ephraim Owens Fundraiser
On Sunday, September 14, 2025, an A-list roster of Austin musicians will be taking the stage at The Heart Behind the Horn Benefit in the Continental Club on behalf of Austin Music Hall of Fame inductee and one of the city’s most beloved jazz musicians, Ephraim Owens. All proceeds will be directed to Ephraim through Austin Jazz Society’s Project Safety Net program, which was established by the non-profit in 2020 to help support local jazz musicians in need.
To donate use this link
AJS Project Safety Net supports the Ephraim Owens Fundraiser - Events - Austin Jazz Society - See Matt Berger Quartet Sun. Sept. 14th, 2pm 1st Presbyterian Church, GeorgetownFirst Presbyterian Church, Georgetown, TX$15.00
Come join Austin Jazz Society as they continue the longest running jazz series in Georgetown. For three years AJS has brought the top jazz players from the greater Austin area to the First Presbyterian Church. One block from the scenic Georgetown town square, this venue features an excellent Steinway piano. Joining guitarist Matt Berger are pianist Ryan Davis, bassist Ben Treisch and drummer Mike Gordon.
THE MATT BERGER QUARTET
- Matt Berger - Guitar
- Ryan Davis - Piano
- Ben Treisch - Bass
- Mike Gordan - DrumsAbout Matt Berger
Matt Berger is a guitarist and composer currently based in Austin, TX. Growing up in Chicago with musical parents, he was exposed early to jazz legends such as Roy Haynes, Von Freeman, David Sanchez, and Orbert Davis at Jazz Showcase's Sunday Matinees and Chicago Jazz Festivals. These concerts left a lasting impression. Drawn to the guitar and inspired by the sounds of Pat Metheny, Grant Green, Joe Pass and George Benson, Matt moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music, where he studied with Tim Miller, Mark White, Bruce Saunders, Bruno Raberg and Yakov Gubanov. After graduating, he returned to Chicago and had the privilege of studying and touring with Indian Classical tabla master Sandip Burman (Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Rajeev Taranath, Bela Fleck & Flecktones), performing over 200 concerts and world music clinics at institutions including the Peabody Conservatory, Kansas State University Manhattan, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Denver School of Arts.As a member of Chicago's vibrant music scene, Matt performed at venues including the Jazz Showcase, Old Town School of Folk Music, Lincoln Hall, Andy's Jazz Club, Green Mill, House of Blues, Uncommon Ground and the Woodlawn Tap Jazz Sessions. In 2015, he joined Nigerian pop-star Nneka on her North American tour. Pursuing a wide palette of musical experiences, he co-founded soul-fusion group 2ndNature with Dwayne "Deo" Bradford, and collaborated with artists such as Cameroonian bassist Gros Pokossi, cellist Ian Maksin (Sting), guitarist Gabriel Datcu, pop duo Carly & Martina, and vocalist Livia Gazzola. He also held a teaching position at the Music Institute of Chicago.
In 2021, Matt relocated to Austin, where he became a weekly sideman for local legends such as trombonist/ bassist Jon Blondell (Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willie Nelson, Sublime, Jimmy Page, Ray Price, George Strait, Chet Baker, Joe Henderson, Dr. Jim Rose!), Alex Coke, Andre Hayward, Michael Mordecai, Brannen Temple and Kris Kimura's Parker Jazz House Band.
As a band leader, Matt Berger has performed at Elephant Room, Parker Jazz Club, and Monks Jazz. In 2024, he released a trio album with Chris Jones and Tom Raines, titled Unanswered Questions. He has also performed at the Long Center, KUTX, and SXSW alongside artists such as Courtney Santana, Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Lara Price, Naala and Elena Diaz. In early 2025, he recorded a live album with jazz bassist Steven Husted, titled Two Nights-"LIVE."
Matt teaches music at his studio in north Austin, exploring guitar technique, rhythm, improvisation, composition, and music theory with students of all ages. He continues his lifelong pursuit of spreading the joy of music and art.
Use this link to purchase tickets;
Georgetown Sunday Afternoon Concert presents The Matt Berger Quartet - Events - Austin Jazz Society
