Gwen Laster
Gwen Laster is an internationally acclaimed musician. An adventurous composer, arranger and orchestrator. A classically-trained artist appreciation for America’s musical history, and a scholar of African- American musical heritage. A socially conscious activist and educator who understands the power of music to reach and touch everyday people.
Gwen is a recipient of the 2024 Chamber Music America Performance Plus Award, National Endowment for the Arts, Jubilation foundation, Puffin foundation, Arts Mid Hudson, Lila Wallace, Mutual Mentorship for Musicians, United States of Artists. Her influences come from the Motor City’s music culture, her parents love of jazz, blues, soul and classical music and her progressive music teachers from Detroit’s public schools.
Laster relocated to NYC after earning two music degrees from the University of Michigan. Her collaborations with internationally-known artists include Anthony Braxton, Nona Hendryx, Aretha Franklin, Wadada Leo Smith, William Parker, Danny Elfman, Sun Ra Arkestra, Tyler the Creator, Gladys Knight, Emeline Michel, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Alicia Keys, Rhianna, Shaggy, Andrew Lamb, Melanie Dyer’s We Free Strings, Natalie Cole, Solange, Mark Anthony, J Lo and Shakira at President Obama’s Inaugural Neighborhood Ball.
Her original music projects include New Muse4tet’s Blue Lotus, Gameboard, Sneak Preview, I Hear You Smiling and her educational program Creative Strings Improvisers Ensemble teaching young musicians Improvisation, composition and global music in classes, workshops and residencies.
Artist Support Program 2025 (with Melanie Dyer and J.R. Rhodes): Free Folk, sharing stories of the lives and works of women of color and an exploration bridging folk and improvisation through the lived experience of three African-American female musicians
