Founded in 2007 by classical composer Harlan Glotzer, the Toy-Box Trio is devoted to helping audiences experience through-composed music in an entirely different way. The pairing of concertina, toy piano, and double bass is reminiscent of the classical piano trio - a staple in chamber repertoire - but able to extend into the 21st century by creating a sonic landscape evocative of dusty old music boxes and haunted carnivals. According to Michael Upchurch of the Seattle Times, "A circus atmosphere dominates the trio's sound, but it's spiced with baroque touches, minimalist nods and a strong gypsy flavor." Toy-Box Trio is committed to approaching time-worn ideas and concepts from unexpected, non-traditional, and rarely-used angles. "Their music is somewhere between classic Klezmer and three-ring circus, but there is a modern edge to it that brings it directly into the 21st century, and even more so, into the vein of all things Seattle", writes Dustin Schisler of City's Best Seattle.

The Toy-Box Trio is at home in venues ranging from concert halls to cabaret clubs to street corners, and performs for a diverse audience including families, steampunks, and symphony-goers. Previous performances include Seattle's Town Hall, the Seattle Art Museum, Steamcon, Seattle International Cabaret Festival, and Gallery X17, as well as various venues throughout the Puget Sound region. Aside from stage performances, the Toy-Box Trio has been featured on KEXP's "Sonarchy Radio" and has made a live television appearance on the Seattle Channel's "Art Zone with Nancy Guppy". Sepiachord has commissioned two separate pieces from Toy-Box Trio for the CD compilations The Sepiachord Companion and The Sepiachord Passport. Music from the trio's self-titled EP creates the backdrop for Philadelphia's Olde City Sideshow and provides the soundtrack for various films including My Lucy Charm and Back Ally.

In 2010, the Toy-Box Trio released their first full-length album, Miniature Menagerie. The disc features concertina, toy piano, and tuba, and includes works that incorporate the sounds of cello, typewriter, and virginal.