About

NEW ALBUM OUT NOW!

“90 Degrees is a storming jazz-rock, at times even, without using the word too strictly, spiritedly funky, epic of some velocity.” - Marlbank

"Ninety Degrees confirms Caraher's talents as a fine melodicist and a purveyor of intricate, feel-good rhythms." - All About Jazz

About the Album

Tom Caraher’s album Ninety Degrees is a bold exploration of heat and transformation, drawing from the electric jazz of the 1970s while incorporating modern jazz-rock and jazz-funk influences. Think Weather Report meets Chris Potter, with a touch of Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor. Written and arranged while living on the Wild Atlantic Way at Banna Strand, Co. Kerry, Ireland, Ninety Degrees features five original compositions and one re-imagining of “Michelle” (The Beatles). The music is both deeply rooted in tradition and forward-looking, blending strong rhythmic foundations, rich harmonies, and expansive improvisation.

The album is performed by a core band of Irish jazz musicians whose individual voices play a central role in shaping the sound. Trombonist Paul Dunlea brings a distinctive compositional and arranging perspective, grounded in decades of experience across jazz and large-ensemble work. Pianist and Fender Rhodes player Darragh O’Kelly contributes a flexible harmonic language informed by contemporary jazz and free improvisation. On electric bass, Barry Donohue anchors the music with a wide stylistic range, drawing on jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban influences. Drummer Shane O’Donovan provides a dynamic rhythmic foundation, combining modern jazz drumming with electronic and textural elements. The album was exquisitely engineered and mixed by the incredible Alex Borwick at Black Mountain Studios in Dundalk, and was mastered by the great Irish saxophonist Michael Buckley.

Together, the band shapes Ninety Degrees as a document of collective playing and shared musical direction.

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Biography

Tom Caraher, a tenor saxophonist born in Bangkok, Thailand in 1990, has crafted a rich and dynamic career that bridges continents and musical traditions. Spending his early years in Thailand, Cambodia, and Pakistan, Tom’s family eventually settled in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, his father’s hometown. At the age of 10, the family relocated to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where Tom’s passion for the saxophone blossomed amidst the vibrant sounds of bluegrass and southern traditions.

Pursuing his love for music, Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, studying under legendary mentors like George Garzone, Frank Tiberi, and Hal Crook. Following his studies, he returned to Ireland, where he has become a prominent figure in the country’s jazz and contemporary music scenes. Tom has performed as a leader to sold-out audiences across Ireland in venues such as The Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray, Arthur’s in Dublin, and Crane Lane in Cork. His upcoming highly anticipated album, 90 Degrees, has already garnered praise from critics and peers for its creative ingenuity and artistry.

As a versatile musician, Tom has worked as a sideman with some of Ireland’s most respected orchestras and bands, including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Mick Flannery Band, Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, The Hot House Big Band, Connor Guilfoyle’s Birth of the Cool, Paul Dunlea Group, ZASKA, CC Brez (of Republic of Loose), The Connor McKeon Band, Aja, Phisqa, and The Booka Brass Band. His performances have graced Ireland’s top venues, festivals, and broadcasts, including the National Concert Hall, Cork Jazz Festival, Bray Jazz Festival, The Late Late Show, The Pat Kenny Show, and more.

In addition to performing, Tom is an accomplished arranger, having created works for artists such as CC Brez and The Connor McKeon Band. His dedication to both music and education led him to a role as a saxophone lecturer at the esteemed DCU Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance Programme.

Beyond his work as a musician, Tom has provided professional live sound engineering and PA system services since 2022, supporting events for up to 400 attendees and 11-piece live bands. His clients include prestigious venues and organizations such as Adare Manor, JP McManus, Limerick GAA, Dublin Convention Centre, RDS, The K Club, KPMG, Dean Rock, Dublin GAA, Dromoland Castle, Ashford Castle, and Mount Juliet Estate.

Now based in Co. Kilkenny with his wife and child, Tom continues to perform as a professional saxophonist across Ireland while inspiring the next generation of musicians through his teaching and compositions. His journey reflects a life deeply rooted in music, shaped by cultural diversity, and driven by an unwavering passion for his craft.