A longtime fixture on the central Texas jazz scene, Austin native Elias Haslanger presents Legacy, his 9th recording as a leader. Dedicated to the great mentors Elias has had, this all-original program of music is a modern jazz recording, drawing from the rich legacy of the jazz tradition. From the title track “Legacy,” which bounces from hard bop to afro-cuban rhythms, to the ballad “Gentle Giant” which reflects shades of Wayne Shorter, each song offers a vignette of Elias’s life as a modern artist.

“Because I am a life-long learner and have such deep respect for the artists and music that came before me, that will naturally come through in my writing. I also believe that creative music is best when it reflects the attitudes and rhythms of today, so each song marks a different feeling, time, or place in my life,” says Elias.

“Faith in Family” is a stand-out track that is an emotional love letter to his family, which Elias describes as “the rock on which I build my foundation." Songs like “A View of the City," “Going Home,” and “Sweet Relief” all were written while Elias was living in Brooklyn, New York, and touring with trumpet icon Maynard Ferguson. Each offers insight into life on the road and life in the big city.

“Touring with Maynard while living in NYC was a thrill of a lifetime. Maynard taught me so much about performing and how to interact with an audience. He also was a fountain of information about the music, sharing countless first-hand stories about Bird, Wayne (Shorter), Louis Armstrong, Miles, and so many others. Life on the road can be challenging, but the experience was very important to my development,” recounts Elias.

Since returning to Austin from Brooklyn, Elias has had an active career – performing, composing and recording. His band, Church on Monday, founded with legendary pianist and organ player Dr. James Polk, is the winner of 5 Austin Music Awards, including Best Jazz and Best Residency at The Continental Club Gallery. Since 2012, Elias has led a weekly show at The Gallery in front of an enthusiastic audience of music lovers. The band has released 3 recordings, all of which have been played and streamed on stations across the world. LIVE At The Gallery was recognized by Downbeat as one of the best recordings of the year when it was released.