Andy Laster

'Andrew Jay Laster (born May 25, 1961, in Bethpage, New York) is an American jazz saxophonist. Laster studied early in his career with Joe Dixon and Dave Burns during the 1970s. In the early 1980s he lived in Seattle, where he attended the Cornish College of the Arts and performed in the local jazz scene. He moved to New York City later in the decade, and between 1989 and 1995 played saxophone on recordings and tours with Lyle Lovett. During the 1990s Laster became increasingly active in jazz ensembles, performing with groups such as New and Used and Orange Then Blue. He also collaborated with musicians including Marty Ehrlich, Erik Friedlander, Phil Haynes, Mark Helias, and Bobby Previte. As a bandleader, his ensembles have featured players such as Friedlander, Drew Gress, Tom Rainey, Herb Robertson, Cuong Vu, and Kenny Wollesen.^[1]

Discography

• Hippo Stomp (Sound Aspects, 1989)
• Twirler (Sound Aspects, 1990)
• Hydra (Sound Aspects, 1994)
• Polyogue (Songlines, 1995)
• Interpretations of Lessness (Songlines, 1997)
• Soft Shell (Knitting Factory, 2000)
• Window Silver Bright (New World, 2002)
• Riptide (Tzadik, 2011)