It’s been a good year qualitatively for Irish jazz in terms of an abundance of inspirational releases. I do wish though that the top Irish newspapers The Irish Times and the Indo would wake up and include decent coverage in their culture pages. Jazz is out there – it’s not as if a single swallow makes a summer if and when editors deign to dip in and out although you’d think so because these commissioners choose not to allot weekly columns to the art form or triage coverage in its even approximate favour preferring a token approach instead maybe when Cork jazz is on. Far from it, invisible ink reigns like an erasure even as quality album after album drops online greeted by an oblivious response. No wonder their readers remain resolutely in the dark. No one leads or cares enough to champion such home grown artistry enough. But I digress.
There’s a story gagging to tell hinted at this year by an array of individual approaches that have demonstrated themselves time and time again when you glance at a list of top Irish jazz this year. But trio albums from the emerald isle are exceptionally thin on the ground. This is the stand out example that emanates from that remarkable discipline and body of work. See our full list of the best albums from Ireland this year which includes No Expectations released earlier in 2025. Pianist Nils Kavanagh who hails from Sligo was a winner of the Young Irish Jazz Musician of the Year competition in 2022. No Expectations was co-produced by Sligo bassist Eddie Lee who contributes the piece ‘Waltz for Carole’ and is a live album recorded in Limerick two years ago. The painting on the cover art and general presentation as an audio artefact are quite beautiful and enhance the listening pleasure. Sonics are crisp and you can hear plenty of detail.
The musicians with Kavanagh are lesser known – double bassist Marcus Baber whose pedal note is significant on determining the mood of ‘Hazelwood Home’ and drummer Sam Green complete the trio. Apart from the Lee piece the tunes are Kavanagh’s own. It’s a very gentle album. Thoughtfulness, contemplation, a slight lilt to the accents and little grace notes dotted about form some of the album’s character. Its strength lies in its understatement. Notes are allowed to ring in the air and the trio aren’t afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
- Hear the trio at Arthur’s, Dublin on 30 October
