B-Side Jazz

Appearing as a trio, quartet, or quintet, performances explore fresh interpretations, eclectic repertoire, and overlooked perspectives — blending swing with narrative, spoken word, and historical context. Led by Austin drummer Kevin Witt, B-Side Jazz draws from the hard-bop tradition while embracing modern ideas, presenting jazz as a living conversation rather than a fixed form.

Andre Hayward is a world-class trombonist known for his warm tone, clarity, and gospel-tinged approach, often compared to the legendary J.J. Johnson. His sound is both refreshing and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition.

Hayward’s early break came when Roy Hargrove invited him on a European tour after hearing him at a festival jam session with the Texas Southern University Jazz Ensemble. He went on to perform and record with Betty Carter in her acclaimed Jazz Ahead program for five years, followed by collaborations with leading figures such as Joe Williams, Slide Hampton, John Lewis, Mingus Dynasty Big Band, Gerald Wilson, Jimmy Heath, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and Illinois Jacquet’s Big Band. More recent credits include work with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the San Francisco Jazz Collective, and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

In addition to performing, Hayward is a sought-after educator. He has taught jazz trombone at institutions including New School of Jazz & Contemporary Music, New York University, New England Conservatory, Michigan State University, University of Texas, University of North Texas, Huston-Tillotson, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Kevin Witt

Kevin Witt is an Austin-based jazz drummer, bandleader, and educator. He founded B-Side Jazz in 2015 as a concept centered on deeper listening — pairing performance with jazz history, storytelling, and fresh perspectives on the tradition.

Rooted in the hard-bop lineage while open to reinterpretation, B-Side Jazz appears in trio, quartet, and quintet formats, featuring many of Austin’s leading jazz musicians. Whether exploring overlooked repertoire or re-examining familiar songs, Witt’s approach invites audiences to slow down, lean in, and experience jazz as a living conversation.

After moving to New York City, Witt studied under Peter Retzlaff (The Drummers Collective / Manhattan School of Music) and privately with jazz masters Jimmy Cobb and Cindy Blackman — influences that continue to shape his focus on swing, interaction, and musical storytelling.

Bruce Saunders has been a vital voice in the jazz world for decades. A longtime member of the New York jazz community (1986–2014), he has recorded, performed, and toured internationally with leading artists including Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Bill Stewart, Peter Erskine, Kenny Werner, Donny McCaslin, Joe Lovano, Bill Pierce, Bobby Previte, and Mark Murphy.

As a leader, Saunders has released seven CDs, while also appearing as a sideman on numerous recordings. In addition to performing, he is a respected educator, serving as a professor at Berklee College of Music since 1993. He is also the author of six guitar method books published by Mel Bay Publications.

Terry Bowness has been a fixture of the Austin music scene since 1997, first as a pianist and more recently on Hammond B3 organ. Soon after arriving in Austin, he joined Los Jazz Vatos, the Latin jazz sextet led by Texas drum veteran Ernie Durawa, winners of multiple Austin Chronicle music awards.

Between 1999 and 2013, Bowness composed, produced, and released four albums of original music on Aardvark Records, earning international radio play and positive reviews. He has since become a sought-after sideman, performing with leading Austin musicians and groups including Mitch Watkins, Bruce Saunders, Brian Pardo, Andre Hayward, Gerry Gibbs, Kevin Witt’s B-side Quartet, the Tommy Howard Organ Trio (with Tom Brechtlein), and Elias Haslanger’s Church on Monday.

Outside of music, Terry holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and has designed integrated circuits used in billions of mobile phones worldwide — making him a creative force both on stage and in technology.

🎶 Upcoming Shows 2026

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🟪 Fri, Feb 6
Cactus Cafe
7:30p-9p

🟪 Thu, Feb 19
Central Market
6:30p-8p

🟪 Sun, Feb 22
The Usual (Domain)
8p-10p

🟪 Thu, Mar 19
Elephant Room
9p-1a

🟪 Thu, April 23
Captain Quack's SoundSpace
6:30p-8p

🟪 Sun, Sept 21
Bird-creek (Temple, TX)

12:00–2:00 pm

🟪 Sat, Sept 27
Mozart’s
9:00 am–12:00 pm

🟪 Thu, Oct 23
Elephant Room
9:00 pm–1:00 am

🟪 Sat, Oct 25
Batch
5:00p–6:30 pm

🟪 Sun, Oct 26
Mozart’s
9:00 am–12:00 pm

Featured guests of B-side include: Jerry Espinoza (Sax), Gene Centeno (Alto), Aaron Allen (Bass), Ben Irom (Keys), Eric Hargett (Baritone), Jeremy George (Bass), Diego Rivera (Sax), Melissa Raquel (Vocals), Shawnda Birch (Vocals), and Matt Berger (Guitar)

Core Members of B-Side

B-Side Jazz is about playing a song, sharing a piece of jazz history, or telling a story that isn’t always front and center — music for people who want to dig deeper.