AJS Presents: The Indestructible Now!

Wed, Jan 21

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for AJS Presents: The Indestructible Now! Joe Roddy – Piano Damien Valenzuela – Saxophones Danny Kerner – Guitar Jesse Ebaugh – Double Bass Jack Montesinos – Double Bass Steve Mankenberg – Drums Nico Léophonte – Drums The Indestructible Now! Is born of the marriage of two groups, the Sahara Quartet and the Eternal Now! 5tet. Sahara is a group that came out of the open free jams at the Sahara Lounge on Austin’s east side, curated by Damien Valenzuela. Here Valenzuela, Ebaugh, Kerner and Mankenberg found themselves coalescing as a group, and have been gigging around town for a few years with their own brand of free and composed post-bop. They have a second self produced LP slated for release on December 20th. Eternal Now is the moniker used by Austin instrumental greats The Point when they turn to improvised music. The two groups met in an East Austin studio, David Boyle’s Church House. In February of 2025 they recorded an amazing group of compositions and improvisations that are slated for a release sometime in the spring of 2026, to be titled Vox Cordis. These musicians are hard workers on the Austin scene… Ebaugh came out of the rock band Heartless Bastards to form his own country rock band the Tender Things, and is a journeyman bass player. Valenzuela is in the rising funk band Cazayoux, and along with Kerner, anchors the band at Sahara’s Africa Night. In addition to their band The Point, Roddy (a relative of Ted Roddy) and Montesinos are gigging country and blues musicians as well, as members of Cactus Lee, The Mellows and Sentimental Family Band. Nico Léophonte owns a renowned studio called Alnico Studios, and is producer of The Point’s first album. Mankenberg is a remarkable drummer with deep ties to the Austin jazz community. The group continues to evolve, and attract serious players, with a mission of creating something of deep spiritual value and essential humanity. NEW ADDRESS | 310 E SAINT ELMO ROAD, UNIT B AUSTIN TX 78745 ——— Make a donation to be recognized: Supporter Level: Donate $50 or more, and we'll mention your name as a Supporter of the "AJS Presents: Midweek @ Monks" series, as part of the mission to creating more sustaining performance opportunities for Austin jazz musicians! Sponsor Level: Donate $100 or more, you’ll be recognized as a Sponsor of the "AJS Presents: Midweek @ Monks" series. Please Note: This is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Cold bottles of still and sparkling water will be available for purchase, but this event is BYOB. Ice will be available if needed, wine keys and 9oz cups provided! Doors at 7:45pm, Show at 8pm.