Poetry inspires Aaron Irwin Trio on new album ahead of concert at Merrimans' in South Bend

Led by composer, saxophonist, and clarinetist Aaron Irwin, the New York City-based trio also includes guitarist Mike Baggetta and drummer Jeff Hirshfield.

On May 16, Irwin released his ninth album, “(after),” a reference to the practice in poetry of writing new works inspired by, or in conversation with, an existing work.

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Three pieces on the album include the inspiration poem itself spoken as part of the presentation: Robert Hayden’s “Frederick Douglass,” read by Bonita Oliver; Joshua Mehigan’s “The Hill,” read by the author; and Stephen Vincent Benét’s “Daniel Boone,” read by Emily Wong.

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Other poems that inspired the album’s nine tracks include Sarah Holland-Batt’s “Pikes Peak,” Walt Whitman’s “When I Heard at the Close of the Day” and Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Recuerdo.”

Irwin also performs with Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, was featured in Cicily Janus’ 2010 book, “The New Face of Jazz, and teaches as an adjunct saxophone professor at Towson University in Maryland.

Tickets are $15-$6.

For more information, call 574-310-9977 or visit merrimansplayhouse.org.