Trillium Irish Band - Traditional Music in Western Michigan

Trillium

Who We Are

Trillium Irish Band burst upon the Irish music scene in September 2023 and is quickly getting attention in Western Michigan and beyond. While our primary focus is on Irish traditional music, like all living traditions we add our own spin through references to Cape Breton repertoire, Australian aboriginal instrumentation and hints of string quartet arrangements. Each of the musicians draws their inspiration from a different tradition-Sligo, Cork, Donegal, Clare, and classical/jazz fusion. The four-piece combination creates a unique synergy that has delighted West Michigan audiences. Our Irish music concerts are interactive events and you never know what will happen!

Featuring Anne Harrigan on fiddle, Noah Jacobs on uilleann pipes/fiddle/whistle, Dede Alder on bodhrain and vocals, and Thom Jayne on guitar/didgeridoo, Trillium^tm is an up and coming act you won’t want to miss!

Dede Alder

Bodhrain, Vocals

"Maybe change just feels hard and strange and uncomfortable. I don't know, but one thing I'm clear on is that it is the role and job of the artist to give voice to it all."

Thom Jayne

Guitar, Didgeridoo

While appreciating the venerable traditions of Irish music, Thom also explores innovation at the crossroads between different genres. Thom has been part of Michigan’s music scene since the Lansing-based “Thom Jayne and the Nomads” emerged in the early 2000s with a hard-to-categorize blend of African, celtic, jazz, and Latin influences. His first two releases, The Forgotten Conquest and Road Trip, both won WYCE Jammie Awards for best local World Beat CD of the year. Thom is a member of the band “Whorled” and has performed in the last two Meijer Gardens summer series. In addition to playing and listening to music, Thom enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring, and petting dogs.

Noah Jacobs

Uillean Pipes, Fiddle, Whistle

Multi-instrument talent Noah Jacobs draws his inspiration from the driving rhythms of fiddle greats like Paddy Glackin and the Donegal style. Noah started out on the fiddle but got hooked on the pipes when hearing recordings of Jerry O'Sullivan and Mick O'Brien. He plays on a set of pipes of his own making and is experimenting with making chanters from different Michigan woods. Noah is also a member of the "Foxchasers" duo with Kerry O'Donohue. When not fiddling or piping he enjoys time with his wife Esther and beautiful daughter, Lily.

Anne Harrigan

Fiddle

With a name like Harrigan, it’s no surprise that Anne was drawn to Irish music at an early age. But her passion really sparked when she got involved in presenting Irish music with orchestras, including the US Premiere of the Brendan Voyage for Uilleann Pipes and orchestra. Anne has collaborated with artists such as Jeremy Kittel, Cillian Vallely, Sierra Noble, Moxie Strings and the Founding. Her inspiration comes from the Sligo fiddling style, including fiddlers like Michael Coleman, Oisin MacDiarmada, Dylan Foley, and Brian Conway. Harrigan is a winner of the Fleadh Cheoil Midwest competition and represented the US in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil competition in Mullingar. When not fiddling around Michigan, Anne can be seen on the podium directing the Battle Creek Symphony or the Billings Symphony in Montana, or hanging upside down on aerial silks.

Where to Hear us

Check back soon for updates on our fall schedule!

No Events

Latest Trillium Videos

Trillium plays Jenny Picking Cockles Set

Trillium plays the Julia Delaney set

Trillium plays Irish Eyes featuring Dede Alders

Trillium plays Banish Misfortune set

Trillium Irish Band Hanover set

Trillium plays Maid on the Green Set featuring Noah Jacobs

Trillium plays Lost and Found Set

Trillium Irish Band Gravel Walks

Trillium Irish Band Humours of Ballyloughlin

Trillium Irish Band May Morning Dew Set

Cooleys Set Third Nature

Lark in the morning set

Absolutely stunning...

Trillium brings the feel of an Irish pub to our humble Michigan brewery. Couldn't be happier with their performances.

- Troy Z. Third Nature Brewing

We've really enjoyed hosting Trillium...

. . . as part of our celebration of music and world talent. They create an atmosphere that warms the spirit.

- Dave, Director of Happiness, Küsterer Brauhaus

I felt like I was in Ireland...

Recently I spent two weeks in Ireland enjoying the music in the pubs. I came across Trillium right here in Michigan and their music took me right back to that feeling!

- Jack H.

Traditional Irish Music right here in Michigan...

...brought to you by four amazing talents. We encountered this wonderful quartet at our wedding reception and have been following them since. We look forward to hearing a lot from them.

- Xi Chen