John Hollenbeck - Groups

Refuge Trio takes its name from the Joni Mitchell song “Refuge of the Roads”. The collaborative trio was formed to play at the 2002 Wall-to-Wall Joni Mitchell Marathon Concert at Symphony Space in NYC. Since then, they have continued to explore delicate and playful music with mystery and exuberance. Their unique voices also play an essential role in the ensembles of Laurie Anderson, Meredith Monk, Bob Brookmeyer, John Scofield and Maria Schneider. As the Refuge trio, they fashion a transformative experience for the audience with their music and spirit.

PRESS:

**** (out of 5)
-DOWNBEAT, USA

“Expect the unexpected with the refuge trio, featuring the vocalist Theo Bleckmann, the drummer John Hollenbeck, and the keyboardist Gary Versace. Bleckmann and Hollenbeck have enough new-music, cabaret, and jazz chops to move the music in any direction they want, while Versace has lately been making big noise on his Hammond organ.”
- The New Yorker

“Refuge trio explores new boundaries of new music and jazz, humor and seriousness, construction and free art, instrumental and vocal music. Bleckmann, Hollenbeck and Versace are not escaping from anything, but have rather found their refuge in a music that is great to listen to, making it possible to discover new things even after the 10th listening.”
- JAZZDIMENSIONS

“An album that gives hope! Yes, jazz still exists even if it’s wearing a different outfit.  In general, music of adventuresome, risk-taking musicians seems to fringe out on the edges while rotting in its core these days, but with refuge trio it has renewed itself, less through violent acts of cosmetic surgery, but through an organic collaboration.”
- JAZZTHING, Germany

“a continuous chain of artistic jewels.”
Five Points (out of five)
- CONCERTO