Hot Club of Cowtown

For nearly thirty years, the Austin-based Hot Club of Cowtown's jaw-dropping musicianship and exhilarating live shows have been the band's global brand. Drawing inspiration from Bob Wills' Western swing and European hot jazz, the trio effortlessly combines vintage string music and three-part harmonies with extraordinary virtuosity and authentic Texas chops. This core trio—featuring Elana James on fiddle and Whit Smith on guitar—is celebrated for a "down-home elegance" that bridges these distinct art forms. Highly adaptable, they perform in configurations ranging from intimate solo/duo sets to their standard acoustic trio. Beyond their core show, they offer unique themed programs: "Way Out West," exploring the history of the American cowboy; a tribute to Elvis Presley's Sun Studio sessions; and a "Willie and Bob" celebration, honoring Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. This program highlights Elana James' distinction as the first female instrumentalist in Dylan's touring band in over thirty years. To complement any scheduled event, they provide engaging workshops or masterclasses on American roots music and improvisational string techniques. Recently inducted into the International Western Music Association Hall of Fame, the band honors Texas legends and remains the world's premier ambassadors of the historic, high-energy sound of Texas Western swing. Photo by Ryan Saul.