2020 was shaping up to be an exceptionally good year for Will Vinson. The British saxophonist was marking his 21st year in New York, where he’d built a substantial profile for himself in that city’s thriving jazz scene as valued sideman and adventurous leader. He’d just released a superb new album (teaming his saxophone with five different rhythm sections), and had recently recorded with an all-star band called Trio Grande.

When the pandemic hit New York, Vinson and his heavily pregnant wife (Australian singer Jo Lawry) packed up their apartment and 20 hours later were on a plane to Adelaide, Lawry’s hometown. It was meant to be a temporary relocation, “until this whole (pandemic) thing blows over”, says Vinson with a rueful laugh.

Two years later, they’re based in Sydney. Lawry, a jazz-trained vocalist and long-time member of Sting’s band, is on staff at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where Vinson also teaches. Both are planning to resume recording and touring overseas but have reassessed their priorities.

“Such a big part of what I do as a musician – and Jo, too, before we had children – has been about travel; being away from home for long periods of time. So now, having had two years of being together as a family, it’s a bit strange to think about travelling again. Jo and I will be taking it in turns to tour later this year. But coming out of this (pandemic), we’ll have to find an equilibrium.”

One of the projects Vinson is about to revive is Trio Grande, which originally featured Mexican-American drummer Antonio Sanchez and Israeli-born guitarist Gilad Hekselman. The three – all with strong musical identities – came together in New York at Vinson’s invitation, as he was keen to explore a bassless trio format. Hekselman’s ability to create infinite textures with an arsenal of effects made him the perfect guitarist for the project, and Sanchez added guaranteed fireworks.

Trio Grande’s self-titled album was released to wide acclaim in late 2020, but the band went into pandemic hibernation. Once borders began to reopen, Sanchez had wall-to-wall bookings with his own projects.

Vinson and Hekselman have found a new drummer – or rather, two drummers (both American). Trio Grande 2.0 will tour Europe in November with Nate Wood on board. But for three shows in Australia, they have Eric Harland, one of the most creative and in-demand drummers in jazz today. Harland has toured here many times with different bands (most recently with saxophonist Charles Lloyd), and, as Vinson says, he becomes an “indispensable part” of every ensemble he plays with.

“Eric’s sound on the drums is unique,” Vinson said. “He’s been on hundreds of records, and he has a lot of devoted fans – including me – who can recognise him instantly from his sound. When you’re playing with him, there’s always a spontaneity and playfulness, and a real sense of interaction.