A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for providing pre and post handlers to log trace records before entering or after exiting the interrupt handler. A trace record includes a `from` address where the interrupt occurs or where the branch instruction is executed or a `to` address for the branch to case and counts of selected performance monitoring events. A timestamp may be associated with each event. In one embodiment, the pre and post handler is used with trap on branch to log trace records prior to and immediate after taking a branch. In another embodiment, a pre handler is enabled to log trace records that occur prior to executing interrupt service routines. A post handler is enabled to log trace records that occur after the interrupt service routines is executed and prior to returning to normal execution. Resulting low-level performance trace data may be collected by the user at a later time for more structured performance analysis.