Lauren Newton

Lauren Newton is a renowned vocalist born in Oregon, USA, but she has spent much of her career based in Germany. She completed her classical voice studies at the University of Oregon and later at the State University of Music in Stuttgart, Germany, where she has resided since 1974. Newton is celebrated for her work in both improvisation and 20th-century music. She was a key member of the Vienna Art Orchestra from 1979 to 1990 and has collaborated with numerous notable artists, including Anthony Braxton, Joëlle Léandre, and Aki Takase. Her first solo album, "Timbre," received the German Critics Award in 1983. Newton has also been part of the vocal quartet "Timbre" and has performed extensively across Europe, the USA, and Japan. Her discography includes over 85 recordings, and she received the Lifetime Achievement Jazz Award from the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in 2020.

Newton's musical journey is marked by her innovative approach to vocal techniques and her exploration of free improvisation. Her book, "Vocal Adventures," offers insights into her artistic practice, focusing on deep listening, vocal techniques, and the spiritual dimensions of music. She has taught jazz vocals and free improvisation at universities in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, and continues to perform and conduct workshops. Her recent releases reflect her diverse musical interests, ranging from live performances to experimental works like "Conversations" with Joëlle Léandre and "Filigree," a reissue of her award-winning solo work.

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