Gwen Laster Ensemble

A native Detroiter whose creative influences come from the Motor City's burnin' urban and classical music culture, Gwen Laster started improvising in high school. Gwen earned a Masters from U of Michigan School of Music, moved to NYC, and performs with internationally-known musicians like Anthony Braxton, Nona Hendryx, Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole. Gwen's won performance, composition and teaching grants from NEA, ASCAP, and the 2016 Arts Mid Hudson artist commission grant. She's the founder of the Creative Improvisers Orchestra for young musicians teaching improvisation and composition at educational venues including Interlochen Summer Institute, the Sphinx Performance and Preparatory Academy, Eastman School of Music and her home community-Beacon, NY. She performs in the Sphinx Symphony, Go: Organic Orchestra and leads the New Muse4tet. Gwen's discography, as leader, includes Sneak Preview and I Hear You Smiling. Her recording Gameboard will be released in 2016. $10 cover. Call 914-737-1701 for reservations.