Born: September 21 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Lisa Young is well known to Jazz and World Music listeners as a creative vocal stylist and improviser, incorporating Indian and African elements in her work. A longtime student of mridangam maestro Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani in Chennai, Lisa specializes in ‘konnakol’ - South Indian vocal percussion. She has studied South Indian music since 1994 both in Australia and four trips to India.
Her quartet with Steve Magnusson, Ben Robertson and Dave Beck, explores a diverse musical expression and is renown as an ensemble of creative improvisers. They premiered The Eternal Pulse to a standing ovation at the 2011 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and it has received wide media acclaim for it's unique craft and musicianship. The Eternal Pulse features the intoned rhythmic recitation of konnakol using varieties of meter and subdivision, layering Indian elements, rhythmic textures and ensemble dialogue, in an evocative journey of sound and song.
Lisa is also a founding member of vocal group Coco’s Lunch. Her composition ‘Thulele Mama Ya’ won ‘Best Folk/World Song’ in the Contemporary Acappella Recording Awards in the USA. They have recorded 6 CDs of original music receiving 2 ARIA nominations, and have toured extensively throughout Australia, Europe, Canada and Asia. In 2010 they performed to packed houses at the Polyfollia 4th World Choral Showcase in France.
Renown as a passionate and engaging workshop leader, her works have been performed by choirs throughout Australia, USA, Canada, Germany and Austria. She recently completed a commission for the Australian Voices Choir 'Other Plans’ which was performed throughout their recent European and Australian tour, and released on their new album on Warner Classics. She composed children’s songs for the television show ‘Playhouse Disney’, and is a vocal teacher at the Victorian College of the Arts (Melbourne University).
Awards:
2007 ‘Grace’ album awarded Best Australian Vocal Album 2007’, in the Bell Awards 2012 'The Eternal Pulse' finalist in the Bell Awards for ‘Best Australian Vocal Album 2012' 2008 Australia Council Project Fellowship for further her study in India and to compose new works 2010 awarded the Monash-Pratt Post Graduate Award for her PhD Music Performance candidature at Monash University. 2003 Best 'Folk/World' song for 'Thulele Mama Ya' (with Coco's Lunch) in the Contemporary Acappella Recording Awards, USA. 2003 Coco's Lunch album 'A Whole New Way of Getting Dressed' finalist in Best Folk/World Album, CARA awards USA 2007 Coco's Lunch 'Blueprint' ARIA Award nomination“Totally engaging… her art is an awesome rhythmic control. Not to be missed, this is one out of the box.” Leon Gettler, The AGE
'An intelligent, loving, and unforced marriage of two great musical traditions' -Doug Spencer, ABC radio.
'Remarkable grace in amazing voice' - Jessica Nicholas, The Age
‘The sounds and rhythms of The Eternal Pulse wakened something deep inside me. Lisa's music spoke not to my ears but to my heart, leaving me tingling and vibrant, then joyous tears fell down my cheeks.’ Grace Knight
‘The topography crosses Jazz, Indian and African terrain…. Young opens with the stunning solo machine-gun fire of wordless vocals where the rhythms are repeated, extended and then moved across the pulse….. electrifying’ Leon Gettler, The Green Guide, The Age
‘Lisa Young’s flexible voice and brilliant musicianship shines…’Amelia Alder, Vocal Australia
'Words seem inadequate to describe the uniqueness of this extraordinary singer. A stunning vocal talent.' Billy Pinnell, The Mag
“Young has developed a fine vocal instrument, dark and rich, with a rare confidence when improvising… Indeed, it’s a rare vocal album where the wordless tracks… are the most interesting. That’s the case here. But everything on this fascinating session is of interest” David Dupont CADENCE Mag. USA
“Lisa Young revels in jazz and excels in it” Sunday Mid-Day Profile, Mumbai, India
’Young showed amazing oral dexterity throughout the performance and produced pure, true vocals. It’s a testament to her that, despite there being no lyrics, the performance was incredibly engaging and accessible’ Rachel Ross, artsHub
The Eternal Pulse (2012)
Grace (2007)
Speak (1999)
Transformation (1991)
With Coco's Lunch:
I Wanna Be A Mermaid (2012) - childrens'
Blueprint (2007)
Rat Trap Snap (2006) - childrens'
A Whole New Way Of Getting Dressed (2002)
Invisible Rythm (1999)
Wally Wombat Shuffle (1998) - childrens'
Raise the Tender Heart (1996)
With Morgana:
Have You Heard the News Today (1998)
Talk, Walk, Whisper (1995)
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Primary Instrument:
Vocal
Location:
Melbourne
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
Vocal Tutor, Contemporary Music stream at Victorian College of the Arts,
Melbourne University, Southbank Campus.
Northern Metro Institute of Technology (NMIT)
VCE solo and group performance.
Guest Seminar presentations at VCA, NMIT (industry day).
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Using chants, songs, soundscapes, vocal percussion, and simple percussion
parts, Lisa inspires singers to explore rhythm, harmony and improvisation.
She works with song form, wordless pieces, and movement encouraging a
great love of rhythm and using the voice as a colorful instrument. The
repertoire is predominently original, however she also includes music from a
variety of streams. Lisa has composed extensively for choirs and her works
have been performed throughout Australia, across Europe and Canada and
the USA.
Recently Lisa has been guest workshop presenter for The Australian Voices
Festival in Kennillworth Queensland, Young Voices of Melbourne, Bendigo
Youth Choir, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, St Columba Anglican School in
Port MacQuarie and Vocal Australia.
Lisa has given workshops for The Orff Society, ASME (The Australian Society
for Music Education), and she was a ‘Song Writing’ Artist In Residence at
Preshil School, Melbourne. She has directed and composed mass choir works
for The Big Sing and Festival Fremantle, Melbourne A cappella Festival and
Ettalong Festival.
