Blue Lotus
By Gwen Laster
New Muse 4tet is an improvising string quartet started in 2015 performing 20th/21st century music and original works as a vehicle for social activism. It's members are Gwen Laster and Hsinwei Chiang/vlnx., Melanie Dyer/viola and Alex Waterman/cello. As classical/european trained players who are improvisors, we are drawn to through composed music that embodies expansive dialogue and self expression in addition to improvised and original works rooted in the Black music tradition of jazz, blues, collective and free improvisation. From this multicultural path, we improvise to inside form, outside/free improvisation, notated and un notated/collective improvising works. By setting these programming standards, we discourage the separation of classical music from other styles and dismiss notions of cultural superiority, thereby reinforcing the root thought of inclusion of multiculturalism in 20th/21st century music and original works. 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. The compositions and art work were inspired and dedicated to African American women artists, anti racism and social justice. The title track "Blue Lotus" is dedicated to the artistic genius of Geri Allen (RIP). "Awakening" was composed to the poetry of Claudine Rankine's "Citizen: An American Lyric for an anti racism worship service. "City Echos" features Tabla player Ehren Hansen and depicts the mood and energy of urban sounds. The final three tracks recorded are the Black Lives Matter suite. Commissioned by Arts Mid Hudson, 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" completes the suite and 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 visual foundation of Blue Lotus supports the artwork of Lois Maliou Jones' "Initiation Liberia". Jones (a Harlem Renaissance artist) was sensitive to the rights and roles of women for many years feeling forced to ship rather than deliver her work in person so museums would not reject her work as a black female artist.
*Initiation Liberia" approved for usage from the Smithsonian Institute.
About the Artist
Gwen Laster
Gwen Laster is an internationally acclaimed musician. A recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts, Jubilation foundation, Puffin foundation, Arts Mid Hudson, Lila Wallace and the Cognac Hennessey 1st place Jazz Search. 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, Natalie Cole, Solange, Mark Anthony, J Lo and Shakira at President Obama’s Inaugural Neighborhood Ball. Her recent original music projects include- Blue Lotus-New Muse4tet- "music for social justice". Gameboard- "global fusion alternating between inner and outer tonality and consciousness. Creative Strings Improvisers Ensemble LLC- "Engaging the complete artist in young musicians through improvisation, composition and global music"