TKD Trio

TKD Trio is Todd Collins – mandolin, Keith Yaun – guitar, and Dave Hofstra – bass. The TKD Trio demo CD was recorded live in the studio. The group’s many influences can be heard on this recording. Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass to New Orleans funk of The Meters to Kenny Dorham’s jazz standard Blue Bossa along with several originals added in.

Todd Collins and Keith Yaun first started working together as a duet in 2006. Dave Hofstra came into the mix in 2007. Their diverse and similar influences made the partnership a logical choice. The players are educated as jazz musicians but have worked professionally in the fields of bluegrass, blues, avant-garde, rock, folk and swing. All of these styles can be heard in their compositions too. From old time fiddle tunes and Bill Monroe classics to jazz standards and free improvisations, the TKD Trio allow their musical influences to lead them into exciting areas.

Guitarist Keith Yaun has performed in many different contexts focusing on several independent jazz projects with The Keith Yaun Quintet and Quartet as well as releasing two CD’s – the quintet’s “Countersink” on Leo Lab Records and the quartet’s “Amen – Improvisations on Messiaen” on Boxholder Records. In addition Keith has performed with such notables as Charlie Thomas (of the original Drifters) free jazz artists Bern Nix, Mat Maneri and Joe Maneri, traditional jazz group “Who’s Your Crawdaddy” plus various rock and pop bands.

Bassist David Hofstra is originally from Leavenworth, Kansas but now resides in New York City. Since he was sixteen, Dave has played, toured and recorded extensively in jazz, blues, rock, and new music. Hofstra was featured in the premier issue of Bass Player magazine in the spring of 1990. He has also been featured in jazz ensembles including Phillip Johnston’s Transparent Quartet and Big Trouble; the Microscopic Septet, and with jazz greats Denis Charles; William Parker; Jemeel Moondoc; Joel Forrester; Bobby Previte, and Lou Grassi. Hofstra’s blues credits include playing with blues legends Bobby Radcliff; Hubert Sumlin; Otis Rush; and Earl King; He also plays with avant-garde artists Elliot Sharp, Marc Ribot, and John Zorn.