Snapdragon will host an evening of free music with Greg Dember from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Dember, who divides his time between Vashon and Seattle, brings together roots-based improvisational music with a passion for smart, literate indie-pop songwriting and experimental sonic textures. When leading an ensemble, Dember’s music is often supported by chamber instruments such as violins and trumpets. Even playing solo, as he will at Snapdragon, Dember evokes his colorful compositions using just his voice and a piano or guitar.

With six recorded albums, Dember’s set includes a variety of original songs as well as inventive takes on “Beck’s Song Reader,” a book of sheet music of American alternative music.