Garage A Trois
Garage A Trois is a collaboration between four of the most visionary improvisers of the time: Skerik on saxophones, Mike Dillon on vibes, Marco Benevento on keys and Stanton Moore on drums. And while improvisation is at the heart of what the quartet has staked its reputation upon at their legendary New Orleans Jazzfest sets and rare, but in demand, club tours, it’s the intricate sonic tapestries, tightly orchestrated arrangements, refined melodies and positively modern approach to instrumental songwriting that’s at the heart of their upcoming long-player, Power Patriot.
MEET THE BAND
Garage A Trois first formed in 1999, from the ashes of Mardi Gras, as a trio featuring Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore and Skerik. They later added Mike Dillon to the fold. In 2007, Charlie Hunter left the band and Marco Benevento joined. The union of musical forces over the years has morphed with each incarnation to reflect the collective strength and vision of each configuration. The current line-up is arguably the fiercest yet as proven by their latest album, Power Patriot. Their sting comes in all shapes and sizes as proven by the industrial electro-funk of “Fat Redneck Gangster,” the post jazz bombast of “Rescue Spreaders” and the mellifluous exotica of “Dory’s Day Out.” Meet the players who comprise this one-of-a-kind instrumental super group known as Garage A Trois:
Skerik (Saxophones): Also a founding member of Critters Buggin’, Skerik has been known to fraternize with the Black Flames, SadHappy, Tuatara (with Peter Buck of R.E.M.), Ponga, Mike Clark’s Prescription Renewal (with original Headhunters drummer Mike Clark, Charlie Hunter, Robert Walter, and DJ Logic), Crack Sabbath, Blotallica, and Elemental. Skerik has jammed with soul legend Fred Wesley, Pink Floyd mastermind Roger Waters, and Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade. Jambase theorized that “the rotation of our planet is somehow connected with this outer space super hero.”
Stanton Moore (Drums and Polyrhythms): A founding member of the New Orleans funk-groove unit Galactic, Stanton is also in the New Orleans Klezmer All Stars, organ quartet Moore & More, and MVVP with Johnny Vidacovich, Rich Vogel, and George Porter Jr. Stanton has also released two solo joints, and has worked with Chris Wood (of Medeski, Martin & Wood), Karl Denson, and guitarist Brian Seeger. Downbeat magazine has extolled Stanton’s “affinity for raw rhythm and funky drum gymnastics.”
Marco Benevento (Keys, Organ and Circuit Bending): Marco Benevento is best known as one half of the Benevento/Russo Duo. The 31-year old, Brooklyn-based artist currently leads the Marco Benevento Trio, one of the most prolific acoustic piano trios in the U.S. having performed at Carnegie Hall, Newport Jazz Festival and San Francisco Jazz Festival. He has performed with countless musicians, including Matt Chamberlain, Charlie Hunter, John Medeski, Mike Gordon, Trey Anastasio, Eric Krasno, Wayne Krantz, John Ellis, Dave Dreiwitz, Mark Friedman, Reed Mathis, Bobby Previte, Ari Hoening, Terreon Gully, Brian Haas, DJ Olive, DJ Logic, Steven Bernsetin, Briggin Kraus, Lyrics Born, Mike Dillon, Les Claypool, Phil Lesh, Skerik, Johnny Vidacovich, Stanton Moore and others
Mike Dillon (Percussion and Vibes): An original member of the eclectic Critters Buggin’, Mike’s current projects include the Malachy Papers, Brave Combo, Hairy Apes B.M.X., and the Black Frames. Mike has toured with Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and was described by Jambase as “possessed with a desire to always find something new, something deliciously rhythmic in any piece.” In addition to his work with Garage A Trois, Mike’s other prime focus is his own delectably subversive punk jazz unit, Mike Dillon’s Go-Go Jungle.
