Lauren Newton
VOCAL Adventures
Free Improvisation in Sound, Space, Spirit and Song
“During her creative career, Lauren Newton has explored multiple musical dimensions with a strong focus on improvisation, concomitantly searching out and developing myriad vocal techniques. In Vocal Adventures she takes the reader on a journey into her experience that is at once an introduction to deep listening, a series of master classes on voice (from consciousness of breath to the mysteries of multiphonics), and an account of both the social and spiritual dimensions that are engaged in a complete artistic practice. Remarkably, she also does this in a way that is inviting, lucid and eminently practical.” Stuart Broomer, author of Time and Anthony Braxton
“Vocal Adventures by the grand master of improvising with the voice is finally here! The significance of Lauren Newton’s work as an artist, educator and author cannot be overstated: She is one of the creators and trailblazers of the art that moves in sound, space, spirit and song. Well worth the wait, this book offers everything and more to all those interested in vocal experimenting and exploring could wish for.” Susanne Abbuehl, singer, composer, educator
“These Vocal Adventures chart a decades-long exploration of soundscapes – ones produced by the outside world but most prominently those created through free improvisation in music. The expedition into this realm of musical experience and expression has taken the author across oceans and continents, with diverse musical encounters providing invaluable sources of inspiration and a wealth of learning and teaching opportunities while enriching her own ideas and approaches along the way. This book aspires to guide others (not only singers) interested in exploring the many facets of free musical improvisation in terms of technique, practice and (solo and group) performance as well as to offer up her own reflections on its essence, its affinity to the human imagination and the multitude of soundscapes it is capable of evoking.” Susan Nurmi, literary scholar, educator, translator
Lauren Newton, born in Oregon, USA, completed classical voice studies at the University of Oregon and the State University of Music in Stuttgart, Germany, where she has lived since 1974. She began expanding her range of voice techniques without using words, focusing primarily on vocal expression, and gained recognition in both the jazz and avant-garde music scenes. She performed solo and toured with various ensembles in the USA, South Korea, India, Japan and throughout Europe. In 1983, she received the annual German Critiques Award for Timbre, her first recording as bandleader. Concerts and recordings with: Vienna Art Orchestra (1979-90), Vocal Summit (1982-83), vocal quartet Timbre (1990-2007), Anthony Braxton, Fritz Hauser, Joëlle Léandre, Koichi Makigami, Phil Minton, Barre Phillips, Aki Takase, Vladimir Tarasov and the Austrian poet Ernst Jandl (among others). Her own projects have included compositions for music and theater productions, small and large ensembles, choirs and radio plays. She taught jazz vocals and free improvisation at universities in Graz (Austria), Essen (Germany) and Lucerne (Switzerland). She continues to perform and give Vocal Adventures workshops.
Her discography to date encompasses over 85 recordings. In 2020 she received the Lifetime Achievement Jazz Award from the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
English edition
216 pp., pb., € 29.–, 978-3-95593-116-2