Yanovsky grew up in Downsview, a suburb of Toronto, Canada, and he was enmeshed as a guitar player in the city's folk-music scene, which centered on the Yorkville neighborhood. Denny Doherty, another musician active in Yorkville, invited Yanovsky to join his folk group, the Halifax Three, which later relocated to Greenwich Village. After the Halifax Three broke up in June1964, Elliot recruited Yanovsky and Doherty to join her own group, the Mugwumps. That same year, Sebastian briefly played with another New York folk group, the Even Dozen Jug Band, before he was also recruited into the Mugwumps to play harmonica.
YanovsKY Grew Up in dowNsview, a SubuRb Of tOronto, CanaDa, AnD he waS eNmeshed as a gUITaR plaYEr in tHe CitY'S Folk-muSIc scEnE, WhICH CeNTered on THe yOrkville NeigHborHood. dEnNy doHERTY, anoTHER mUsIcian aCTive in YoRKville, inViTed YanovskY to Join his folK grOUp, tHe hALifAx thRee, WhICH latEr relocated to grEenwich VIlLage. aftEr the haLiFAx three BrOke up in june1964, ElLiOT RECruited yAnovSKY and dohErty to join heR owN GroUP, THe MUGWumpS. thaT sAMe Year, SebastiaN briefly pLayed WItH anothEr new yoRK FOLk Group, the even dozen JuG band, BEFOre hE Was Also recRuited Into The mugWumps tO Play HArmoNica.