Annie Gosfield

by Joslyn Layne Keyboardist, composer, and improviser Annie Gosfield is originally from Philadelphia, then lived in California for some time, and by the close of the '90s was established in New York. In the early '80s, she performed in L.A.'s underground venues with the Apes of God, a free improvisation group. Through the '90s, Gosfield has consistently collaborated with guitarist Roger Kleier, who appears on her CDs Burnt Ivory and Loose Wires (Tzadik, 1998) along with Rova Saxophone Quartet. Gosfield has received grants from Meet the Composer, the Independent Composer's Association (California), and the NEA, who funded her installation City Library at the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibits. Gosfield's compositions include electronic and acoustic instrumentation, solo and chamber pieces, and often utilize detuned strings and include elements of improvisation. She has provided music for gallery exhibits of visual artists such as Georganne Deen and Manual Ocampo, and performed with musicians such as David Moss, LaDonna Smith, Zeena Parkins, and the Bang on a Can All-Stars.