Yaz Lancaster
Yaz Lancaster (they/them) is a Black transdisciplinary artist most interested in relational aesthetics and the everyday; fragments and collage; and liberatory politics. Yaz performs as a violinist, vocalist, and steel pannist in a wide variety of settings from DIY and popular music to chamber ensembles; and their work is presented in many different mediums and collaborative projects. It often reckons with specific influences ranging from politics of identity and liberation, to natural phenomena and poetics. Yaz has had the privilege and opportunity to create with artists like A Far Cry, Beth Morrison Projects, ContaQt (with Evan Ziporyn), Contemporaneous, JACK Quartet, Leilehua Lanzilotti, Skiffle Steel Orchestra, Sound-Off: Music for Bail and Wadada Leo Smith. They are in post-genre duo laydøwn with guitarist-producer Andrew Noseworthy; and work with Luna Composition Lab, I CARE IF YOU LISTEN and Peach Mag. Yaz holds degrees in violin and poetry from NYU; and they live in Lenapehoking (Harlem, NYC) with their bassador puppy Nori.