3 Leg Torso creates modern chamber pop music infused with the authenticity of folk music, the passion of world music, the precision of chamber music and the enthusiasm of rock & roll. Influenced by tango, Eastern European folk and other traditions, their cosmopolitan musical style embraces wit and humor within thoughtful, uncommon and beautiful musical arrangements.

Since the ensemble's humble start more than 10 years ago with spontaneous street performances -- called “Meestering” by co-founders Béla Balogh and Courtney Von Drehle -- they have been featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and at the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, successfully toured the east and west coasts, released four CDs (two with New York spoken word artist, NPR contributor and Duplex Planet founder David Greenberger), composed and recorded film and documentary scores, written new evening length works commissioned by the Portland Institut­e of Contemporary Art (PICA) and performed their original music with several symphony orchestras and in a headlining performance at The Getty Center in Los Angeles. The cinematic nature of many of the ensemble's compositions has paved the way for its inclusion in films by Academy Award winner Joan Gratz, Morgan Spurlock, two-time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton and others. Plympton’s latest film, “Idiots & Angels,” features three 3 Leg Torso songs.

3 Leg Torso has released four CDs (two with New York spoken word artist, NPR contributor and Duplex Planet founder David Greenberger) and is currently recording its fifth album, with an expected release date of February, 2009.

Founding members and principal composers Béla Balogh (violin, trumpet) and Courtney Von Drehle (accordion) are joined by Michael Papillo on double bass and percussionists/mallet players Gary Irvine and T.J. Arko.

"Wildly exciting, wildly eclectic, rather difficult to describe." - Dirty Linen

Albums:

Astor in Paris	3 Leg Torso
Animals & Cannibals