Originally an instrumental trio, featuring violinist Bela Balogh, cellist Gabe Leavitt, and accordionist Courtney Von Drehle, 3 Leg Torso is one of Portland, OR's truly eclectic bands. Their original tunes incorporate elements of modern chamber music, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European folk music, and Argentinean tango. ~CMJ described the group's sound as "all the beauty of Astor Piazzolla's music and the spirit of the Kronos Quartet." ~Portland Online Musicnet claimed their music "seems to be a conversation between the instruments and actually conveys a sort of dialogue without the use of lyrics, much in the way that the old #Merry Melodies/#Silly Symphony cartoons used to do." Http://www.janpress.freeservers.com agreed, writing that their music is "evocative, varied, non-cliché, and also not predefined by the accordion's sound." 3 Leg Torso represents the combined vision of three veteran musicians.

Leavitt had played guitar and electric bass before switching to cello. Balogh had played violin since the age of four. A first generation American, he inherited his musical talents from his father, a touring violinist and conductor, and grandfather, who led a Hungarian gypsy band. Although he studied classical violin for many years, he switched to rock as a member of Greased Priest, the Willies, and Lobe, where he met future 3 Leg Torso bandmate, Von Drehle. Equally proficient on saxophone, guitar, and accordion, Von Drehle received a bachelor's degree in music from Marylhurst College. A former member of Tone Dogs, Hester Street, Poikilothem, as well as Lobe, he continues to play in two bands besides 3 Leg Torso. POD (Points of Departure), is a jazz trio that he shares with piano and trumpet player Mike Van Lieu and drummer/percussionist Brian "Von" Davis, while the Topiary Kings are an improvisatory duo with drummer and theremin player Larold Wills.

Released in April 1998, 3 Leg Torso's debut album included "Divertissments for Performing Bears," which became the theme song of a popular television series in Bosnia. The group's music was heard in #With Hope and Help, a United Nations-funded video documentary on AIDs in Thailand, and in two films by animator Joan Gratz -- #The Dowager's Feast and #The Dowager's Idyll. 3 Leg Torso became a sextet with the addition of bassist Peter Whitmore, vibes, marimba, and xylophone player Rob Lewis, and dumbek, bongos, conga, and tar player Joseph Jariga in 2000.

~ Craig Harris, Rovi