Composer and multireedist Andy Laster grew up on the south shore of Long Island. He studied short fiction writing at the University of Michigan and jazz at Seattle’s Cornish Institute before moving to New York City in 1985. His first recording, “Hippo Stomp,” appeared on the Sound Aspects label in 1989. This album was followed by two more Sound Aspects releases, “Twirler” and the first eponymously named CD by Hydra, one of Laster’s key ongoing projects in the 1990s. “Interpretations of Lessness,” based on a poem by Samuel Beckett, was released in 1997 and was named one of the year’s top ten jazz recordings by Billboard Magazine. “Window Silver Bright” was released in 2002, with an expanded version of his Lessness ensemble. While leading these two groups, Laster contributed to collaborative ensembles Orange Then Blue and New and Used, as well as performed in Erik Friedlander’s Topaz; the Julius Hemphill Sextet; the Pink Noise Saxophone Quartet; Bobby Previte's Weather Clear, Track Fast; and Matt Darriau’s Ballin’ the Jack. He has also performed with Mark Helias, Hank Roberts’ Birds of Prey, Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, Marty Ehrlich, Dave Douglas, Elliot Sharp, Roy Nathanson, Satoko Fujii Orchestra, and Brian Carpenter’s Ghost Train Orchestra.

Laster's chamber music has been premiered at New York City venues including Advent Lutheran Church, the Cornelia Street Cafe, and Roulette. He has been awarded residencies at the Blue Mountain Center and the Djerassi Resident Artists Program. He wrote incidental music for the play "Cast a Spell" by Traci Parks, which was performed at HERE Arts Center. In 2010, his piece Concrete Floor and Sailfish was selected as part of the American Composer Forum, Philadelphia Chapter, New Voices program and was premiered by Argento Chamber Ensemble. He has also received grants from the American Music Center, the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, and Meet the Composer.

Andy Laster has recorded eight CDs of his compositions – the most recent is Riptide (Tzadik Records). His 1998 recording Interpretations of Lessness was chosen as one of Billboard Magazine's Top Ten Jazz Recordings of the Year. He has been awarded residencies at the Blue Mountain Center and the Djerassi Resident Artists Program. He has arranged for Lou Reed and Lyle Lovett and, as a saxophonist/clarinetist, he has performed with Julius Hemphill, Erik Friedlander, Marty Ehrlich, Hank  Roberts, Matt Darriau, Andrew Hill, Dave Douglas, Elliot Sharp, Sting, Elvis Costello, and Roy Nathanson. Recent projects include arrangements of the music of Dawud Husni, an Egyptian composer from the Cairo café scene of the 1920s and performances with Cast a Spell Trio.