Throughout his career, Mitch Towne has uplifted the music of many top artists from a variety of fields including pop, R&B, rock and jazz. Refuge finds him stepping into the spotlight as a leader, performing a set of his originals (plus a song by the late Kenny Kirkland) with an impressive group.

The organ-guitar-drums trio has been a mainstay in jazz since Jimmy Smith revolutionized the Hammond B3 organ in the mid-to-late 1950s. But, rather than merely recreate the past, Towne performs original compositions on Refuge that represent his vision of how the Hammond organ can be featured in a variety of jazz styles, not just the typical blues shuffles that are often a hallmark of organ-led trios.

The seven selections include uptempo explorations (“Wolverine” and *Act As If”), the catchy “Refuge” (which highlights that exciting music such as this is an effective escape from a world that often defies logic), the relaxed *Better Now Than Never At All,” a bluesy and funky “Ode To Kenny,” and “Some Work Of Noble Note, May Yet Be Done,” a thoughtful dreamscape in 5/4 time. In addition, Kenny Kirkland’s “Steepian Faith” is a passionate tribute to the great pianist.

Throughout the stimulating program, Towne demonstrates his mastery of the unique skill set required to play the organ, including playing all the bass lines with his left hand and pedals, and contributes consistently creative solos. Guitarist Nishiyama (who has worked with Ryan Kisor, Marquis Hill, Tony Monaco, Buddy Guy and Roy Ayers among others) is a major asset, and veteran drummer Johnson keeps the music swinging hard.

Mitch Towne has worked as a keyboardist with a wide variety of top artists including Buddy Miles, Aloe Blacc, Terrace Martin (playing organ on his Grammy-nominated Velvet Portraits album), Eric Gales, Tom Scott, Ryan Kisor, Matt Wilson, Dave Stryker, Jerry Bergonzi, and Joel Frahm. In 2022 he formed SRT, a power trio with guitarist Andrew Synowiec and legendary drummer John • J.R.• Robinson that recorded Vanguards Of Groove and toured internationally.

Refuge at last features Mitch Towne playing his own music as a leader and the results will certainly greatly interest fans of the modern jazz organ trio.