In a world where Irish traditional music is often boxed into expected forms, No Name Trio offers something far more daring. This is not just another trad session. This is a convergence of three virtuosic musicians—each with their own deep roots and distinct vision—coming together to shape a sound that is grounded in heritage yet fearless in exploration.

When I first hear their music, it left a lasting impression. There’s a gravity in their music that’s rare: compositions rooted in Irish tradition but blooming with inventive structure, unexpected instrumentation, and a spirit that seems to honour the old ways while chasing something completely new. These are not musicians trying to impress with tricks; they’re musicians telling stories—sometimes ancient ones, sometimes newly written, but always resonant.

Jason Turk is the group’s sonic architect. A full-time musician, composer and teacher from West Waterford, Jason has an academic mind paired with a fiercely creative heart. His work with “The Young Irelanders” brought his music around the globe, but it’s his solo innovations that captivate me most. I’m especially fascinated by his efforts to merge music with responsive light design—creating live performances that blend visual and sonic energy in real time. His software-controlled lighting system, shaped by the tempo and character of live trad, is not just technical wizardry; it’s an extension of the music’s emotional landscape. It’s rare to find a musician so steeped in tradition who is also so future-facing.

Conor O’Sullivan, a Cork-based singer-songwriter and instrumentalist, brings lyrical depth and quiet power to the trio. He’s toured internationally and shared stages with many of Ireland’s finest, but his own songwriting speaks volumes. Fifty For Electricity, his latest solo album, reveals a poetic sensibility that channels the melancholy beauty often found in the best of Irish folk. His lyrics evoke shadowed corners of the human experience—both tender and unflinching—and his voice carries the weary warmth of artists like John Prine or Kris Kristofferson. I hear in Conor’s playing a kind of gentle defiance: the courage to stay honest, to stay soft, even when the world hardens.

But if I’m honest, it’s Karl Nesbitt who stands out as my personal favourite among the three. Simply because I’ve written blogs about him back in his first EP, The Good News. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, Karl’s work seems to defy category. Whether on flute, whistle, bouzouki or bodhrán, his phrasing is clean, deliberate, and full of nuance. He’s worked on over 20 commercial albums, and his contributions as arranger and producer have shaped some of the finest contemporary recordings in Irish and folk circles. What truly impresses me is his ability to say more with less—never overstating, always allowing the music to breathe. There’s a refined intelligence to Karl’s playing that demands attention but never asks for it. His past collaborations with artists like Iarla Ó Lionáird, Sharon Shannon, and the Berne Symphony Orchestra only hint at the breadth of his artistry.

Together, No Name Trio builds a dynamic musical space where all of these influences converge. Their live shows are captivating: equal parts intimacy and spectacle, with each musician shifting effortlessly between instruments, moods, and tempos. Their set at Maureen’s Bar in Cork on Wednesday, May 29th (8:00pm) is already marked on my calendar. Tickets are still available, and I strongly encourage anyone with a love of progressive Irish music to be there. These aren’t just concerts—they’re conversations between past and present, body and spirit.

A full-length album is eagerly awaited. I’ve heard whispers, but nothing official yet. Judging from the quality of their live material and the pedigree of these musicians, it’s sure to be a landmark recording in the evolving story of contemporary Irish music.

Until then, I’ll be following their journey closely—and returning often to Karl Nesbitt’s back catalogue in particular. For those who believe that tradition lives not by preservation alone, but by evolution, No Name Trio is a group worth knowing.

Upcoming Performance:
Wednesday 29th May | 8:00 PM
Maureen’s Bar, Cork

Are you planning to attend their Cork performance or wait for the album release?