A wildly adventurous improvisational collective, Garage A Trois are known for their exploratory, groove-oriented mix of jazz, electric funk, and avant-garde rock. Originally showcasing guitarist Charlie Hunter, saxophonist Skerik, and drummer Stanton Moore, the group emerged to buzz with their 1999 debut EP, Mysteryfunk. They have continued to develop their sound, dipping into dark-toned psych-funk and atmospheric jazz on albums like 2003's Emphasizer (with percussionist Mike Dillon) and 2009's Power Patriot (with keyboardist Marco Benevento). In 2021, the original trio reunited for Calm Down Cologne.

Formed in 1999, Garage A Trois first started as a side project that grew out of the sessions for Moore's album All Kooked Out! Discovering their shared chemistry, the group -- drummer Moore, guitarist Hunter, and saxophonist Skerik -- debuted the same year with the darkly atmospheric Mysteryfunk EP. Initially only released on vinyl, the album seemed like it would remain a one-off. However, in 2003 Garage A Trois delivered their first full-length album, Emphasizer. Along with contributions by percussionist/vibraphonist Mike Dillon, the record also found Skerik playing both saxophone and keyboards.

In 2005, the same lineup released their second full-length set, Outre Mer. Recorded live and completely acoustic, the album was ostensibly intended as the soundtrack to French director Klaus Tontine's unreleased film of the same name. In 2009, Garage A Trois returned with Power Patriot, which found keyboardist Marco Benevento taking over for guitarist Hunter. Benevento was also on board for 2011's Always Be Happy, But Stay Evil.

Following a four-year hiatus, the original lineup of Hunter, Moore, and Skerik reunited for several live shows. They also hit the studio, recording at Stone Gossard's Studio Litho in Seattle. The resulting Calm Down Cologne arrived in April 2021 and found the trio returning to a stripped-down, groove-based funk and avant-garde jazz sound. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi