Riptide (2011)

Personnel:

• Jennifer Choi: Violin
• Kermit Driscoll: Bass
• Erik Friedlander: Cello
• Leo Adamov: Violin
• Eliran Avni: Piano
• Stephen Beck: Piano
• Hamilton Berry: Cello
• Stephanie Griffin: Viola
• Moran Katz: Clarinet
• Mick Rossi: Conductor
• Ning Yu: Piano

Description:

Composer and multireedist Andy Laster presents Riptide, his first chamber music release and his first release on the Tzadik label. Laster has previously recorded seven CDs as a composer-performer, forging a highly contrapuntal style that synthesizes elements of early and modern jazz, the downtown New York City improv scene, and western European art music. Riptide is a collection of recent instrumental chamber music, programmed like a recital, with contrasting instrumentation from piece to piece.

Riptide features some of New York City's most exciting young players, plus more established players like Erik Friedlander, Stephanie Griffin, and Mick Rossi, all of whom Laster has collaborated with since the 1990s. Although the six compositions on the CD are not jazz, three of the pieces (Genk, String Trio No. 1, Movement 2, and Concrete Floor and Sailfish) contain moments of structured improvisation, displaying Laster's continued commitment to taking risks. The title track is a world premiere performed by pianist Stephen Beck.