Lauren Newton

An American vocalist and composer who relocated to Europe in 1974 following her music degree from the University of Oregon, Lauren Newton first gained recognition in Germany through her performances with Mathias Rüegg’s Vienna Art Orchestra before extending her reach to other leading figures in the continent’s avant-garde scene such as Fritz Hauser, Jon Rose, and Vladimir Tarasov. After additional studies at the School of Music in Stuttgart, she issued her debut solo album Timbre, which earned a German Critics’ Award in 1983; the recording later appeared on compact disc under the title Filigree via the Leo label in 1998. Alongside her jazz-centered projects she has also interpreted 20th-century art music, maintaining an extensive discography both as a bandleader and in collaboration with the artists already mentioned as well as numerous others. Since 1978 she has maintained an active teaching practice, offering private instruction and serving on the faculties of several European institutions. Between 1983 and 1999 she collaborated regularly with Austrian poet Ernst Jandl. Additional partners have included bassist Jöelle Léandre, guitarist Christy Doran, saxophonist and composer Anthony Braxton, and pianist and composer Hannes Zerbe. Newton’s work centers on the abstract deployment of language together with unconventional vocal sounds and extended techniques.