New Leaf Irish Band

You'd see the three (or sometimes one or two) of us tearing into a high-energy set of reels, exchanging knowing glances as we throw in fun ornaments, while the audience taps their feet and sometimes spontaneously gets up to dance. You'd hear some slower waltzes and airs, especially for more solemn events, when our virtuosity can shine as we honor someone special. You'd find folks bopping and singing along to the chorus of traditional Irish pub songs or listening carefully to a beautifully crafted ballad.

New Leaf is Kira Jewett on fiddle,and Jim Bunting on guitar, vocals and bouzouki, usually with a third melody player steeped in the Irish tradition. Together they play tunes with tight, driving rhythm, interspersed with Jim's unique take on Ireland's song repertoire.

Kira Jewett started playing classically when she was just three years old, but fell in love with the music of Ireland in her 20s and studied extensively with the virtuoso fiddler Brian Conway. She is the 2003 All-Ireland fiddle Slow Airs Champion. Singer and rhythm player Jim Bunting is an avid local session player who brings a sensitive touch and driving rhythm to the band.

New Leaf brings joy and tradition to weddings, parties, pubs, Irish-American clubs and music festivals. In 2023 we were invited guests at the Fleadh Nua in Ennis, Co. Clare. We can be found performing throughout southern New England.

We are quite flexible! Normally we bring our own sound system - two Bose L1 Compacts which have fantastic sound and are very portable and easy to set up. We'll need 3 chairs or stools and a source of electricity. If it's OK with you, we often set up a table for CD sales, but can skip this for private parties.