Mozart’s Fall Jazz

I have always had a deep love and fascination for music, and coming to a school centered in the live music capital of the world was just the place I wanted to be. I wanted to immerse myself in all aspects of the community and go beyond the boundaries of the 40 Acres to experience everything Austin truly has to offer.

Overlooking the beautiful waters of Lake Austin, Mozart’s Coffee provides more than just delicious pastries and freshly-made coffee. They also host open mic nights and, specifically, Jazz Wednesdays. This event is held every week, open to the public and completely free of charge (perfect for us college students). With just a short drive, bike or bus ride away, opportunities of productivity and relaxation await at Mozart's Coffee Roasters. If you're looking for a cozy getaway from campus to do your homework, study or to just sit and unwind amongst nature, Mozart’s is the place for you. 

My first experience visiting Jazz Wednesdays at Mozart’s was at the beginning of this semester, as I tried to find my footing and balance as a freshman. Indulging in an off-campus evening provided an unexpected benefit — time with my own thoughts and new perspectives. Live music concerts seems to bring the people together under the overarching presence of nature. Being amongst the calming waves created by passing winds and cruising boats, paired with the dynamic improvisations of jazz, created a palpable kinship.

Listening to jazz on the water’s edge, under the canopy of old-growth Live Oaks, seemed to elevate the calming rhythm of nature — the arrangement of each song illustrated a perfect bane of discord and harmony… As each note unfolded, their resolutions revealed an initially-dissonant, though intentional, purpose. While the ripples gently crash amongst the docks of Mozart’s, you can indulge in a sunset, along with your favorite drink or pastry, with the essence of breezy jazz between your piled thoughts. 

A few regulars of these jazz events describe them as “reminiscent of a New Orleans street band” which transports you back to the “old-fashioned jazz clubs from the early 50s/60s.” Hearing improvisations from the best-selling jazz album of all time, none other than Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, takes you back to what feels like a simpler time. There is something so peaceful about jazz — it can be viewed as a respite, a break from the chaos, all from a busy patio overlooking the western sunset.

Composed of endless patterns not always understood beyond the average person’s surface understanding, nature is a beautiful, intricate and unending system. Similar to the harmonies which layer upon themselves to create music, nature creates a symphony of illimitable interpretation. Music is not solely intended for humans: nature also has signaled responses to melodies and vibrations. Like ripples in water, physical manifestations of environmental rhythms and harmonies, we are reminded to always be “in the flow,” to allow our worries and stresses rush away with the trickle of a gurgling spring.

There is a connection between our environment and the world of music. Simply being outside can decrease stress, activate various parts of the brain, and prompt feelings of relaxation often tied to the frequencies in nature. 

Immersing yourself in the full experience of Jazz Wednesdays at Mozart’s provides the perfect mid-week pause, an opportunity to decompress and return to nature while inspiring you to find your own rhythm for what lies ahead.