Leonard Cohen Stories & Songs – The Secret Chord 122824 – Austin, TX

In the late 80’s local Austin musician Stephen Zirkel, toured the world with poet songwriter Leonard Cohen.

Stephen passed away just this last August, and we’ve turned this into a living tribute to him.

We’ll feature Zirkel’s songs & stories from the L. Cohen road with piano, cello, violin and surprise special guest vocalists.

Join us to indulge in the mesmerizing allure of live acoustic music performed by world-class musicians, surrounded by the warm glow of candlelight.

Its a different kind of concert, that begins and ends in darkness, with music and a poem or two surrounding and soothing you.

WHAT TO BRING

• Yoga Matt, Pillows if you want to lay down (plenty of comfortable chairs also available)
• Water, or a mug for cacao/tea (free with donation)
• Love and a friend, or come solo and make new friends connections

Side effects may include: relaxation, balancing your nervous system, releasing what no longer serves, feeling whole and connected to nature, being nurtured and cared for by community.

Stephen shares a few road stories on this podcast..

Frequently Asked Questions

P arking?

There is plenty of free parking on the streets around Life in the City.

See MAP

Are children welcome?

Kids are welcome! Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please keep in mind that this is an event where the focus is on the music, and might include meditation. So we value peace and an environment of non-disruption for all that are paying to have this experience. This isn’t a club atmosphere where there is talking over the music. That being so, we do have a separate area where you can take the kids if they or you need a break.

Are there bathrooms? YES

Is the space heated or airconditioned? YES

What’s the seating like?

Seating is on a first come first served basis. There will be an area against the wall for attendees wanting back support or the use of the chairs in the room. They are quite comfortable. The floor will be available for folks that bring yoga matts and pillows.

How dark is it actually? We turn off all lights at the beginning of the concert for the first few songs, light a single candle, and then have darkness for the last 2 songs.

Is this a sober event? YES! No Drugs/Alcohol, Smoking, No Phones, No Camera/Video, and No Scents please

Can I come to just the concert portion? yes, please be seated at least 10 mins prior to the concert.

Can I volunteer to get in free?

Yes, we have 4 positions for volunteers that begin 2 hours before the event and include helping set up the space, checking people in and cleaning up after the event is done

D o you have a calendar of events?

Yes, see more concerts here:

Get on our updates lists here:

Text: +1 (512) 379-5934

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Event will be limited to 100 guests.

Great date night and great way to meet and make new friend connections.

G et in FREE by Volunteering contact Will at 512-589-8749

Testimonials

I live in Austin & Love Will Taylor and his music. Even in a town like Austin where musicians are on every corner, Will Stands out With his unique collaborations and concerts, He truly is “One of a Kind.” Thank you Will. Please keep your awesome and unique music coming!!!! YOU would be sorely missed were you to leave!!! -Pam B, Ph.D

Thanks for the unbelievable musical service. Will, you take us kicking and connecting with new people who love music and natural life! Then Tony captured the beauty of classical guitar, which for me was delightful, secret toe wiggling while lying on my mat, housed in dark AC while visually surrounded by elms and willows. The hands on energy touch upon request, was an amazing bonus. Can’t get any better. Dr. Patty and Bob

Will, last night’s show was magnificent. Now I remember why I felt at home when I came to Austin in 1980. There is something precious here, (Holy, actually) and you are a part of that. Thank you. Shara T.

***Debbie, April 2019

“Unique experience connecting both to nature and to music. A quieter, reflective sidelight on the frenetic Austin tourist experience. Also, a chance to network with some area musicians.”

Info on the artists:

Stephen Zirkel, naive Texas, moved to Austin in 1968 at the age of 11, and literally first envisioned becoming a musician as his parents drove the family to Austin, when he announced he wanted to join the school band that fall. He would eventually end up at Austin High School, under the musical tutelage of band director LaFalco “Corky” Robinson, who would also teach young Will Taylor and many other Austin musicians over the years.

Playing trumpet in the school band led to working with several tejano bands including Little Joe and La Familia, eventually landing him in the groundbreaking Austin band Beto Y Los Fairlanes, whom he still plays with now and then. (Beto just celebrated their 40th year together)

During at time period, Stephen switched to bass and played with many local jazz band, including Passenger, Mitch Watkins, and the Jazzmanian Devil himself, Tomas Ramirez. After the cruise ship gig that took him to the CAribbean, South America South and WEst Africa, Leonard Cohen tapped him to play on his 1988 I’m Your Man European and North American tour. This entailed playing bass, trumpet, keyboards, and singing backup vocals. All which would influence his future joining up with Will Taylor in the formative stage in Strings Attached.

In the early and mid-90s, he fulfilled one of his early dreams to play in an authentic salsa band. So he found Sabor Latino, which he led as arranger, pianist and musical director. In 1996, he started a full 7 year stint with another legendary Austin band, The Brew, and helped that band make their transition from smooth jazz/pop/soul band to a full fledged Latin salsa band, where they still reigh today.

Another interesting experience was being hired by Mike Mordecai to coach Matt Wilson, local pianist/singer, to coach and prep him for his audition for the Movin OUt touring broadway show based on the music of Billy Joel. Matt got the lead pianist part, thanks in part to Zirkel’s coaching and piano instruction, even tho he is not a rock n roll pianist himself.

This would eventually lead Stephen’s latest long term musical commitment being the primary accompanist (and sometimes arranger music writer) for Divy Nelson, a wonderful austin vocal coach who specializes in preparing students not just for singing, but for live performances with a band.

Zirkel has played on over 60 albums, producing and/or arranging also half of them and is one of a handful of local sidemen who was blessed with getting to perform in the early Austin City Limits live TV stage with three different bands (BEto, Tomas Ramirez, and Cohen.)

While he loves teaching and playing many different styles of music (often in the same week!) he now focuses on a few local groups, notably Billy Wilson’s Latin at Heart band, Leeann Atherton’s gospel band at “hippie church”at MArtha’s Taco Express, and is still plugging in with Beto, Tomas Ramirez, the Brew and of course, Will Taylor and Strings Attached. Life is good!

By the way, Stephen’s alternate bio was going to read “I play bass.”

Will Taylor

I’ve been a professional violinist and Austin music icon for over 20 years, jamming with folks such as Willie Nelson, Pearl Jam, Gary Clark Jr., Shawn Colvin, Shiny Ribs, Guy Forsyth, the Turtle Island String Quartet at Town Hall in New York City and so many more. I’m a lover of the outdoors and the magic of bringing people into nature for life-changing moments of connection and musical bliss. I have been a concert presenter for over 30 years and in 2006 produced a concert of the Beatles White Album that was broadcast on radio and drew over 1600 folks for two shows. Two time Austin Music Award Winner, and Best of Austin Finalist in 2022

Tony Rogers

Tony Rogers is a cellist, educator, performer, arranger and composer.

He performs regularly with The Austin Piazzolla Quintet, The Waterloo Trio, Jenifer Jackson, the multi-genre group Strings Attached, performs weddings on weekends, and onstage with symphonies, playing 70 public performances per year, teaches a few hundred lessons and directs the Austin Cello Choir every week on Tuesday evenings for cellists of all levels. In his spare time he organizes chamber reading sessions.

Tony at our concert on July 3rd at Yoga Vida