The twin trombone frontline is an esoteric but noble tradition in jazz,

harking back to the famed 1950s recordings of Kai Windings and JJ

Johnson. While respecting the tradition, the internationally renowned

trombonists Paul Dunlea (from Cork) and Trevor Mires (from

London) are not traditionalists, and their collaborative project Silfra

showcases their thoroughly contemporary skills as composers and

arrangers to create a fascinatingly diverse set of trombone led

music. Silfra is the name of a place in Iceland where the tectonic

plates of Europe and America meet and rub together. "I scuba-dived

between the two plates and touched them both at the same time,"

says Dunlea, and the album presents a true transatlantic meeting of

talent. The project was conceived after Paul and Trevor worked

together on a project at London's famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club,

and the music was recorded at the legendary New York studio of

Rudy Van Gelder with a specially assembled band of their favorite US

musicians.

For the drum chair, Trevor chose Billy Kilson, famed for his long

association with Dave Holland, while Paul selected bassist Ike Sturm

(Donny McCaslin) and pianist Jim Ridl (Kurt Elling, Joe Locke). Ryan

Keberle contributes a third trombone to some of the sections to

create a full, lush sound. The result is a stunning album that

combines influences from both the leaders' multi-faceted careers,

Paul's Irish heritage, and their deep love of the jazz tradition.

Silfra is a beautifully realised album from two master musicians

completely at ease in their surroundings