Shannon Gunn’s Saffron Ensemble blends jazz tradition with innovation, combining a string trio, synthesizer, a rhythm section, and trombone to perform new originals and arrangements by Gunn. Premiering at the 2022 Jazz and Freedom Festival in Washington, D.C., the ensemble has since evolved into various configurations, always keeping to its strings/jazz combo roots while using music to highlight a social justice issue. The group’s mission is to foster cross-genre collaboration, merging the spontaneity of jazz improvisation with popular melodies while featuring the unique sound of a string trio. A dedicated composer and bandleader, Gunn draws from personal narratives to shape the ensemble’s repertoire. Their inaugural performance featured her Immigration Suite, inspired by her Irish grandmother’s immigration story. Since then, she has blended genres by creating arrangements that weave jazz and popular music together. They recently performed at the Kennedy Center as part of the DC Jazz Festival (August 2024).