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About Us
The 'GRACE' album won 'BEST AUSTRALIAN JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM 2007' in the AUSTRALIAN JAZZ 'BELL' AWARDS!!! Lisa has received an Australia Council Project Fellowship for 2008 to undertake further konnakkol (vocal percussion) study in India with Guru Kaaraikudi Mani, and compose a new series of works for the quartet. Lisa Young has studied music across a wide spectrum, from Jazz and Contemporary Improvised music to the aural traditions of India, Africa and Bulgaria. In 1998 she completed a Master of Music Performance (Voice) at the Victorian College of the Arts, which included a thesis in Konnakkol - South Indian vocal percussion. In 2003 her composition 'Thulele Mama Ya' won Best Folk/World Song in the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards in the USA. In 2006 she released her quartet's latest album 'GRACE' which represents Lisa's diverse musical journey. The Quartet combines a crossover of Indian and African influences with an improvisational approach. The wordless pieces provide a basis for ensemble dialogue, while the works in song form express her soulful interpretation of contemporary life. In 1999 the quartet released the ARIA nominated CD 'SPEAK' with assistance from the Australia Council. Since then Lisa has been recording and touring Europe, Canada and Asia with vocal group COCO'S LUNCH, whilst continuing to compose a collection of new woks for her own group. The jazz quartet is a collaboration with the intuitive musicality of Ben Robertson (Double Bass), Steve Magnusson (Guitar) and Dave Beck (Drums). Lisa studied South Indian Music (Ragas and Konnakkol) in Australia from 1994-98 with Ravi and Narmatha Ravichandra , and has twice travelled to India to pursue further studies. Her first visit was an Asialink residency to Mumbai of 2 months duration. She studied Ragas and Tabla Bols in Mumbai and visited Chennai to study Konnakkol with Mridangam virtuoso Karaikkudi R. Mani. Her second visit saw her returning to Chennai for a month of advanced Konnakol studies with Mani. She has been guest konnakkol artist for various Indain ensembles, including Mani's ensemble at the George Wood Performing Arts Centre Melbourne, with the esteemed Indian flautist Dr. N. Ramani for The Melbourne International Festival, and she did a solo performance for the International Women's Association in Chennai in 1998. She continues to develop her unique expression of this artform. She remains in regular contact with Mani and has been invited to collaborate in Chennai, with Karaikkudi Mani and also with esteemed Indian singer O. S. Arun. She has recorded and toured throughout Australia with the Jazz group MORGANA. She is renown as a passionate and engaging workshop leader, and conducts vocal workshops Australia-wide, with her songs having been performed by choirs throughout Australia and in the USA. 'she introduces the listener to new vistas. Check out the konnakkol .... machine-gun like rhythms of her wordless vocals... To be listened to and savoured.' **** Leon Gettler The AGE Green Guide Dec. 06 'Words seem inadequate to describe the uniqueness of this extraordinary singer. A stunning vocal talent.' Billy Pinnell The MAG Dec 06 'I found myself immediately enveloped in the warmth of Young and her ensemble.Young's voice - sometimes ethereal, sometimes earthy - acts as a physical extension of her lyrics, which describe the sense of joy that comes from living life to the fullest.' Jessica Nicholas The Age - Wangaratta Jazz Festival Review 'a highly individual singer.her voice is rich and supple, and her singing is obviously informed by more than just jazz.the music is often at once earthy and delicate, melodic and abstract.' - Doug Spencer, 24 Hours. BEN ROBERTSON - Double Bass Recently Ben has recorded CD's with the Fiona Burnett trio, Tim Wilson trio, Tim Stevens trio, Don Harpers 'Illawarra' project, Alison Wedding and guested with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and James Morrison. Despite spending considerable time in the studio and in live performance around Australia, Ben manages to find time to fantasize about exploring the Kimberley region of Australia in an excitingly equipped 4WD vehicle. ".contributed his unique warmth and sensitivity." Syd. Morn. Herald, April 2003 ".Glorious sound and tasteful playing...." Fin. Review, Feb 2003 STEPHEN MAGNUSSON - Guitar Stephen Magnusson is one of the most accomplished, versatile and distinctive musicians in Australia. His incredible technique and astoundingly beautiful tone on his instrument have make him an indispensable part of many bands and film scores. HIs astute and thorough knowledge of music have also made him an indemand teacher and lecturer at Monash University, NMIT and VCA. For most of the 90's Stephen lived in Switzerland performing with his bands SNAG and Facelifter at major festivals and clubs throughout Europe. During this time in Europe, Stephen was awarded the Swiss Diagonal Arts Grant and Pop Kredit award with the band SNAG and also received rave reviews for his performances. Stephen spent time studying with Mick Goodrick and Jerry Bergonzi at the New England Conservatory. Stephen returned to Australia in 2000 to perform and record with his trio at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival where he was co-winner of the National Jazz Award. Since then he has been nominated twice for the Freedman Fellowship, produced Martin Breeze's album, Blackbird, released Boundaries, Healing Songs, assumptions2 (ARIA nominee) and departures by assumptions on Newmarket Records, and recorded 'For Elvin' with the Ted Vining Trio as well as releasing his new album MAG. He has performed recently with Elixar, Paul Kelly, James Morrison and Vince Jones. He has also been involved in playing and co-producing albums for Alison Wedding, Lisa Young and Christine Sullivan, worked on movie soundtracks with Paul Grabowsky, produced soundtracks for short film and worked with Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach and the Australian Art Orchestra on Ruby's Story. His latest CD 'Little Creatures' released on ABC label in May 07 is Magnusson's first solo guitar Project. " A significant voice on the Australian Jazz scene" the AGE "Lithe and tempestous.....wonderfully fluid" Gerry Coster "This guy can really play" Charlie Hunter "One of the most important trio's in the country " Paul Grabowsky "These 14 little creatures are highly individual solo guitar performances..... Magnusson creates a world of personal reveries.." THe AUSTRALIAN 07 www.mag.net.aun Magnusson is one of the most accomplished, DAVE BECK - Drums
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