The Untempered Ensemble was founded in 1992 by Bill Cole as a trio.  The first members of the group were Bill Cole, Warren Smith and Joe Daley.  Later, in the 1990's, bassist William Parker and multi-instrumentalist Cooper-Moore joined the group.  Soon after that, the reed player Sam Furnace was asked to join and then, at the end of the 1990's, Cole's son Atticus became a member of the group, playing hand drums.  This group recorded four CDs for Boxholder Records during the early 2000's and gave numerous performances, including at the Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Music Hall in New York. Following his untimely death in 2003, Sam Furnace was replaced by flute, tenor and soprano sax player Ras Moshe.

The Untempered Ensemble added Bill Cole's daughter Althea SullyCole as a vocalist in the group at their 8th appearance in the Vision Festival in New York City in 2009. She later also joined the group with her Senegalese kora. The final iteration of the Untempered Ensemble included (as pictured): Ras Moshe (Saxes and Others), Joseph Daley (Tuba and Others), Bill Cole (Double reeds, Digeridoo and Others), Warren Smith (Percussion), Olivia Shortt (Baritone Sax), Mali Obomsawin (Double Bass) and Taylor Ho Bynum (Cornet and Others), respectively.

The Untempered Ensemble was in existence for more than 20 years.  During all of those years Bill, Warren and Joseph were members and formed the foundation of the Ensemble. The longevity of the group was a testament to the commitment, and the outstanding and creative work, of its members.