About New Leaf
New Leaf is Kira Jewett on fiddle, Jacob Hagelberg on accordion and Jim Bunting on guitar, vocals and bouzouki. Together they play traditional 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. Jacob Hagelberg is a session musician who specializes in the BC style of button accordion. He fell in love with the music at 17, and has been playing ever since studying under Billy McComiskey and Damien Connolly.
Past members of the band include multi-instrumentalist Adam Braunschweig and local esteemed box player John Tabb. Frequent special guests/friends include flutist Sally Fortini, fiddler/piper Eva Meier and banjo player/singer Derek Monahan - look for them in our videos!
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.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FROM ONE OF OUR BEST MUSICAL NIGHTS EVER!
New Leaf with Sally Fortini, The Cottage, Melbourne FL
New Leaf at the Big E Fair, 2023
CD Release at Fleadh Nua 2023, Ennis
New Leaf Livestream
Live at Stone Cow Brewery
New Leaf at the Burren Backroom
New Leaf CD Release: The Diamond/Sleepless Nights
"Beautiful playing there..."
Billy McComiskey
Music Reviews
Kudos from our fellow musicians!
You have every right to be excited about New Leaf, your band has drive, melodic maturity, and great vocals!
-a fellow musician
Lovely sweet music, a wonderful trio!
Brian Conway, Sligo fiddler
“Terrific, pure drop Irish trad, with an contemporary Appalachian twist!”
Brian O'Donovan, WGBH
Want New Leaf to play for your event? Contact us now!
New England and New York
413-387-8221