NEW MUSE 4TET

Born in October 2015 and founded by Violinist/Composer Gwen Laster, New MUSE4tet's artistic expression spoke to the people as an improvising string quartet offering 20th and 21st century new works and original compositions as a vehicle for social activism. "Black Lives Matter Suite" (commissioned 2016 Arts Mid Hudson) premiered shortly after the inception of the ensemble and continues to draw great audiences and critical acclaim. As classical/european trained players who are improvisors, we are drawn to through composed music that features improvisational dialogue, self expression and original works steeped in traditional jazz, modern jazz, and music from the African diaspora. While staying rooted in these traditions, we improvise to inside form, outside/free improvisation, notated and un notated/collective improvising works. By setting these programming standards, we believe improvising to be the highest form of self expression and freedom. We conjure up this art form to engage our listeners in a personal reflection that inclusion of multiculturalism is relevant to all conversations in, around and about music.​Our debut recording Blue Lotus was inspired by and dedicated to African American women artists, anti racism and social justice. The six tracks I've composed utilize through composed parts, in form, free form improvisation and collective improvisation.  The title track of the album "Blue Lotus"  is dedicated to pianist/composer Geri Allen. The remaining tracks include "Awakening" , composed to poetry of Claudine Rankine's "Citizen: An American Lyric  and first played for an anti racism worship service. "City Echos" featuring Tabla player Ehren Hansen depicting the mood and energy of urban sounds . The final three works are the Black Lives Matter suite. 

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The first movement "Cigarette" is dedicated to justice for the Sandra Bland tragedy. Movement two "Three to Eleven" remembers Samuel Harrell - an inmate whose life was taken by correction officers at the Fishkill, NY correctional facility. "Entrapped" features Poet Gold's spoken word about the Newburgh Four, victims of an FBI informant who entrapped four young Black men from Newburgh, New York in a conversation to blow up a Synagogue in Riverdale, New York.
The collaborating artists on our debut recording "Blue Lotus" are violinist Hsinew Chiang, violist Melanie Dyer and cellist Alex Waterman. Following the pandemic and relocation of violinist Hsinew Chiang, New Muse 4tet moves forward as New Muse trio with special guests. Those guests have included bassist Dara Bloom, cellist Jake Charkey and drummer Andrew Drury. 

NM4T has played concerts, residencies, workshops, recordings  at  Museum of Art and Origins/Harlem, Bklyn Conservatory, Howland Cultural Center, Seed Artist concert series/Montclair Public Library, Beacon, Newburgh, Haldane Schools, Maverick Concert Series, Howland Chamber Music, Blue Mountain Chamber Music Festival-residency/PA, Interlochen Arts Academy- guest artists//Michigan, . Awards/Recognition- 2017, 2022 Puffin foundation. 2016, 2019, 2022 Arts Mid Hudson,  2021- Bandcamp Best Jazz Album. 2021-MPower Sphinx , 2022-South Arts/Jazz Roads,  Dutchess County Executive Arts Award (Gwen), Best of Jazz Violinist/All About Jazz. (Gwen)