Aaron Irwin Trio live at Bar Citra

The Aaron Irwin Trio is an exploratory and dynamic ensemble featuring Aaron Irwin (saxophones, clarinets), Mike Baggetta (guitar), and Bill Campbell (drums). The group thrives on pushing the boundaries of structure, form, and improvisation, creating music that is both deeply interactive and texturally rich. With a focus on group interplay, the trio crafts non-conventional song forms that evolve organically in performance, blurring the lines between composition and spontaneous creation.

Each member brings a distinctive voice shaped by years of collaboration and work with some of the most forward-thinking artists in jazz and beyond. Baggetta (mssv, Jim Keltner, David Torn) is known for his atmospheric yet raw approach to the guitar, while Campbell (Breastfist, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Madison Cunningham, Andrew Bird) provides a fluid and expressive rhythmic foundation. Irwin (Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Jamie Baum’s Septet +, Gabe Kahane) ties it together with a melodic sensibility that embraces both clarity and abstraction.

The trio first made its mark with Wobegon (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2018), an album that established their distinctive aesthetic. Their latest release, (After) (Adhyâropa Records, 2024), further refines their approach, earning critical praise for its expansive compositions and immersive sound. With years of collaboration behind them, the Aaron Irwin Trio continues to evolve, creating music that is unpredictable, expressive, and deeply connected.

“Irwin is a lyrical alto saxophonist and a compelling original composer, as well as a canny bandleader."

- Steve Futterman, The New Yorker

His compositional style skillfully blends sophisticated harmonies and counterpoint with an engaging melodicism that sticks with the listener…”

- Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times

"Through their subtle application of leftfield approaches, they reveal the strain of Weird America running through the project."

- Stewart Smith, Wire

"Irwin and the guys achieve the perfect balance, making eery, Twilit music that lingers long in the mind. An understated little gem."

- Gary Booth, Jazz Journal

“Here’s something. No grand-standing; no God-bothering; no dour abstractions or bland parsing of the harmonic code; instead an album of the purest and most delightful melody. Irwin looks like he just won the science prize at high school, but he plays like a bruised angel…I earnestly suggest you track this one down. If it doesn’t delight and move you, you might find that you actually died in the night.”

- Jim Weir, Jazz Review Magazine

Host or Publisher Bar Citra