Ned Lagin

[1][2][3] Lagin is considered a pioneer in the development and use of minicomputers and personal computers in real-time stage and studio music composition and performance.

Lagin received a degree in molecular biology and humanities from MIT in 1971, where he studied with John Harbison, Gregory Tucker, David Epstein, Noam Chomsky, Gian-Carlo Rota, Salvador Luria, and Jerome Lettvin.

In May 1970, he helped facilitate a concert and free live outdoor performance featuring the band at MIT that coincided with the Kent State shootings.

[2] From 1970 to 1975, Lagin contributed Hammond B3 organ, electric piano, and clavichord to material of his choice (primarily—but not exclusively—songs with long instrumental passages) at several Grateful Dead concerts.

During his professional career in science and engineering R&D (1976–2011) he worked on the earliest home computing technology with an Altair 8800; was a pre-release Apple Macintosh software seed developer;[17] developed real time digital video and image processing systems;[18] biotechnology and immunology instrumentation; DNA, RNA, and peptide synthesis and sequencing hardware and artificial intelligence software; early wireless network routing systems;[19][20] and consulted in ecological planning, design and habitat restoration, including aerial and ecological photography for environmental studies.

His photography and art influences include Ansel Adams, Elliot Porter, Walker Evans, Edward Weston, Life magazine and The World We Live In, and National Geographic.

His creation of sand drawings and multi-image forms to create "fields of meaning(s)" was influenced by the rock art and imagery (petroglyphs, pictographs) of Native Americans, Australian Aboriginals, and prehistoric Europeans.

Originally composed and planned for a two CD release, Cat Dreams is the first of the two CDs that comprise the full suite of compositions.

On Cat Dreams, Lagin plays electric piano, keyboard synths (including vocals, cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, banjo, and others), Native American flutes, and softsynths: Ableton Live and Max for Live, Reason, Reaktor The other musicians performing on Cat Dreams: Lagin has served in Novato, California[22] and Marin County government: Planning Commission, Downtown Plan Committee Chairperson,[23] Economic Development Commission, Tree Task Force, Marin Conservation League Board of Directors,[24] Marin County Flood Control Advisory Board, and chairperson for the Warner Creek Committee.