Most bands embark on a tour to promote their first album, but the jazz/classical trio Myriad has decided to do something a little different.

Instead, Chris Donnelly, Dan Fortin and Ernesto Cervini opted to generate buzz about their music before heading into a studio and cutting their first CD.

“The idea is to play a whole bunch and then, when we get back to Toronto, record our first album,” said Donnelly. “It’s rare for a band to go on tour and then record an album. It’s usually the other way around.”

But Myriad wants to do things differently. Donnelly and his collaborators hope to make a big enough impression on their first B.C. and Alberta tour that, once they return to the west with CD in hand in the fall, the fan base will grow even more.

“You have to spread the word and meet some people, and that spreads the word about the music,” he said.

Myriad begins recording later this month; a next big step in what is a relatively young musical collaboration.

Donnelly, Fortin and Cervini were enrolled in a jazz program at the University of Toronto when they met in 2010. It didn’t take long for them to find a found a common musical ground that translated well on stage.

Although students of traditional jazz like Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, the trio grew up in an era of CDs, Napster and YouTube. As a result, each brings a decidedly varied musical background to the table. Donnelly said Myriad is also inspired by the techno beats of Daft Punk, the heavy guitar licks of AC/DC and the classical sound of The Beatles.

“Your other influences don’t necessarily get to come out in an academic setting,” he said. “But, when you sit down to play, you can go ‘By the way, I also listen to Daft Punk’.”

And, with each musician writing his own material, personal influences are also brought to the table, he said. The end result is a myriad of ideas, tastes and instrumental styling, hence the band’s name.

Myriad’s music is instrumental. Some of the songs tell a story, others are more static and groovy. Donnelly said the goal is to be unique, but harken back to each other’s background and interests.

Donnelly describes the music as jazz meets classical meets pop meets Oscar Peterson.  

“It’s hard to pinpoint what our style is,” he said. “We play something recognizable but mix it up.”

Myriad performs at the Flour Medal Bakery and Café in Clearwater Saturday at 2 p.m.

ON STAGE

WHO: Myriad

WHEN: Tonight at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Caffe Motivo, 229 Victoria St.

TICKETS: $20 at the door