Fresh from Ireland’s northwest, this dynamic young trio of Fraser Gaine, saxophone, Nils Kavanagh, keyboards and Sam Purcell, drums, has skateboarded its way onto Ireland’s jazz scene with a flair usually associated with young Scandinavian or continental artists. With common roots established via Sligo Jazz Project’s annual summer event, these three young musicians have been members of Sligo Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra for several years. Collectively this group could be described as
power trio, snubbing the X-Factor generation by performing hard-hitting modern jazz with a confident maturity that belies their average age of 17.

Mentored at various stages by Sligo Jazz Project’s international faculty members, such as Paul Booth, Ernie Watts, Nicolas Viccaro, Malcolm Edmonstone and Scott Flanigan, The Saffron Trio’s set is a mixture of edgy originals and interpretations of modern tunes by Roy Hargrove, Shaun Martin and George Duke and these young gentlemen aren’t afraid to put their own funky stamp on great American songbook standards either.

The Saffron Trio were Recorded live at the Hawk’s Well Theatre Sligo, with special guest, “Mr. Sligo Jazz” himself, Eddie Lee on bass. Thanks to Sligo Jazz Project, The Hawks Well Theatre, Sligo County Council and the Arts Council for their support in making this high quality video and audio recording.

Lineup:

Sam Purcell – Drums
Fraser Gaine – Saxophone
Nils Kavanagh – Keyboards
Special guest, Eddie Lee, bass
Video: Ita Callagy and Kris Manulak.
Sound: Luke Devaney