Formed by three men who cut their teeth on the legendary New York Loft Scene of the early 1970s, guitarist James Emery, bassist John Lindberg and the late violinist Billy Bang co-founded the groundbreaking ensemble amidst New York’s next fertile phase, the Downtown Lower New York scene. Forging the path for the genre-defying Jazz, Western Classical and World Music-informed Chamber discipline that is so prevalent in today’s adventurous musical environment, the S3NY has remained active and thriving over its entire 40-year history.

Over those years and with only a few changes in personnel – including the highly-awarded violinist Regina Carter – the ensemble is still led by Mr. Emery with violinist Rob Thomas and bassist Tony Marino (members for 18 and 8 years respectively), and remains on the cutting edge of the music that it has pioneered. Housed within Sound Directions Inc., the 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural and educational organization with which it has been involved for more than 30 years. The group  can be booked through  Sound Directions, Inc.