Saxophonist Molley explores jazz's Scottish roots with Tùs/Origin
Added on 25 February 2026
Saxophonist Brian Molley releases his sixth album, Tùs/Origin, on Friday 20th March.
One of Scottish jazz's most travelled musicians, Molley follows two albums featuring collaborations with Indian musicians, by exploring links closer to home on his latest release.
Tùs/Origin began with a show that Molley premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024. From the folk traditions of the Outer Hebrides to a Louisiana gospel stomp via fugue, jig and hoedown in a through-composed suite, it follows a journey that suggests that the Scottish influence on the development of jazz is a lot stronger than we all might think.
The first Scottish immigrants to travel to Canada and America shared their folk songs on their journeys, including a uniquely Scottish musical tradition known as call-and-response line-singing. This way of making music would become a core element in the development of jazz and popular music. Molley’s research also included the work of prominent 19th century abolitionist and frequent visitor to Scottish shores, Frederick Douglass, who is celebrated in several of the album's tracks.
Tùs/Origin features Molley’s long-time musical partner, Tom Gibbs on piano and David Bowden (bass) and Stephen Henderson (drums) from pianist Fergus McCreadie's trio.
The album is released on Molley’s own label, BGMM Records, and will be available on CD as well as high quality downloads.