10 Years of Monks | Mercedes Solis & Bruce Saunders

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for 10 Years of Monks | Mercedes Solis & Bruce Saunders! We’re celebrating a decade of Monks all week long this September with friends, family, artists, and everyone who has helped make this place what it is. Come raise a glass, hear some great music, and celebrate 10 years of Monks with us.

5:00 PM Early Show with Mercedes Solis

7:30 PM Late Show with Bruce Saunders

About Mercedes Solis:

Mercedes Solis is bassist born and raised in Austin, TX. She graduated from Austin Community College, completing her associates in 2024, studying with Dr. James Suter, Jacob Wise, and Dr. Steven Sodders. After getting her associates, she transferred to Texas State University where she completed her Bachelor of Jazz Performance degree in 2026, studying under Dr. Utah Hamrick and Tito Carillo.

Mercedes is the founder of Women of Jazz TX, a member of the Austin Federation of Musicians Local 433, and a musician for Austin Jazz Workshop. She has had the opportunity to perform alongside some of the most outstanding national and local musicians of our time such as Tito Carrillo, Daniel Dufour, Elias Haslanger, Peggy Stern, Hank Hemsoth, Mara Kaye, Matt Berger, Bruce Saunders, Rosie Flores, Jim Stringer, Mark Scott III, and Sam Howden. She has also toured the country with The Grand Ol’ Production Company for their “Grand Ol’ Americana Show” and “Grand Ol’ Christmas Show” 2025 and 2026 productions.

About Bruce Saunders:

Bruce Saunders is a guitarist, composer and educator currently residing in Austin, TX. After receiving his Masters degree in jazz/classical guitar from the University of North Texas in 1986 he moved to New York City where he was a resident until late 2013. During his tenure in NY he recorded, performed and toured with some of the worlds best jazz musicians. Since moving to Austin he has played with many of the world class jazz musicians in the city and state. Saunders is currently a lecturer at the University of Texas/Austin’s Butler School of Music where he teaches private guitar lessons and a faculty member of Berklee’s Online University (BOL) where he developed and teaches two jazz guitar courses.

Please Note: MONKS JAZZ IS NOW A FULL SERVICE BAR. As part of this transition, Monks Jazz is no longer a BYOB venue. We invite you to enjoy our thoughtfully curated beverage menu and roll with us through the changes! As always, this is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Free parking is available in the area.

First Show: Doors at 5:00pm, Show at 4:30pm.

Second Show: Doors at 9:00pm, Show at 9:30pm.