Refuge Trio

Gary Versace
accordion, piano, keyboard
Theo Bleckmann
vocals, live electronics processing
John Hollenbeck
drums/percussion, vibraphone, crotales

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.

“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.”
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Jazzdimensions

“The alchemy practiced by percussionist John Hollenbeck and vocalist Theo Bleckmann has always been extraordinary. […] Adding Gary Versace’s spectral accordion and impressionistic keyboards only deepens and broadens the sonic landscape.” – Downbeat