Early Spirit

Early Spirit is a Canadian folk trio described as a "west coast rockin' folkin' rollin' jazzin' Celtic swing-grass ensemble" fronted by ex-Spirit of the West band member Jay Knutson and featuring Ben Kelly (son of Spirit of the West's Geoffrey Kelly) on percussion, with Gabriel Dubreuil on violin. Jay Knutson is a former member of Spirit of the West. After leaving Spirit of the West, Jay worked with major Canadian folk artists including Hart-Rouge and Connie Kaldor, with solo material that draws from jazz and roots music. Ben Kelly previously performed and recorded with Fish & Bird, the eclectic folk music outfit from the southern Gulf Islands. Gabriel Dubreuil was already working around North America as an in-demand session violinist before joining the trio in Vancouver. After the release of their debut album "Unrelated," the band was sought after from coast to coast, and they covered a good chunk of it. The trio has connections to Spirit of the West, a Canadian folk rock band from North Vancouver, active from 1983 to 2016. Early Spirit's music blends Celtic influences with jazz, folk, and roots music, creating an energetic and eclectic sound. The trio's instrumental prowess and the members' deep roots in Canadian folk music create performances that are both technically impressive and emotionally engaging. Their collaborative approach and willingness to explore different musical traditions have made them a distinctive voice in the Canadian folk music landscape.

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