As the sun begins to set over Lake Austin, Austinites gather in Mozart’s Coffee Roasters’ “The Loft” to enjoy fresh brews and the sweet sound of the Butler School of Music’s jazz combos.

What started last year as a regular gig for jazz students blossomed into a residency at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. This year, Butler School of Music students perform jazz standards from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Dr. Ross Margitza, instructor of record for Jazz Combos, said that as a former student, he always admired the jazz program at UT.

“I watched the quality of the jazz program grow,” Margitza said. “We can attribute that to the students that we have, the community of jazz lovers here in Austin (and) faculty members (in jazz studies). It’s because of (their) dedication and passion that the sky’s the limit for the (jazz program).”

Margitza said the program includes 10 different combos with rotating performances. Combos vary slightly in instrumentation, but most include three horns and a rhythm section. He said they play jazz classics or student-made original compositions. Lizette Wong, an electrical engineering and jazz piano senior, first joined Jazz Combos fall of 2019 and played at Mozart’s as part of a preview to her senior recital last year.

“It’s a casual environment to bring  originals,” Wong said. “Part of the requirement (for a senior recital) is you have to write originals. I would test them at Mozart’s … because we had so many players, I could arrange the stuff I wrote for four players, which is cool.”

Wong said performing her originals at Mozart’s Jazz Combos inspired her to possibly record an album.

“The most touching thing was that people would come up to me after the show and ask me about the tune,” Wong said. “(They said), ‘How did you come up with this? I like it a lot. Where can I listen to this?’ I was like, ‘I haven’t recorded an album yet, but it’ll be out there one day.”

Wong’s combo on Wednesday night performed a Dexter Gordon heavy set, including “Cheese Cake” and “Soul Sister” following “Tangerine” by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer. Wong said the setlists are carefully curated.

“I love the connections I’m making here and getting to play with so many talented people,” said Finn Dickens, a music composition senior and Sculler’s combo member. “It’s cool for me to have a leadership position … A lot of the other members of the band are freshmen (and) sophomores, so I get to show them the ropes.” 

Geoscience sophomore Brisa Bustos said she first came to see her friend play in a combo and keeps coming back for the ambiance and live music.

“I believe that our relationship with Mozart’s is (an) invaluable experience for the students,” said Jazz Combos teaching assistant Rachel Spencer. “A lot of kids don’t really start working until they are out (of school). This gives them the opportunity to figure things out before they’re actually in the job and puts them in a real-life experience.”