What's a Voice For?ヴォイス・ジャム

What's a Voice For?

6 Vocal Artists – Solos & Collaborations

Hailing from Seattle, “Human Jazz” artist Christian Swenson has gathered 5 local vocalists from Tokyo to create this very unique meet-up. From diverse backgrounds (jazz, punk, blues, noise, overtone, Americana, world music, free improv) these vocal artists, many whom have never met before, will take the stage for short solo sets followed by spontaneous collaborations. The evening will focus more on the possibilities of the pure voice without a lot of electronic alterations. Through shared listening and response, they will co-create new music together.



Artist Bios:

CHRISTIAN SWENSON

Christian Swenson is a Seattle-based performing artist who articulates his enthusiasm for life with his body and voice. His pioneering "Human Jazz" work (an improvised fusion of singing, acting and dancing) has been seen throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Presently,as a member of the Drama faculty at Seattle University, his diverse training includes dance, mime and voice, as well as work with Korean shaman Hi-ah Park, and the late Pakistani Master-singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He has performed with Bill Irwin, The Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and The Jay Clayton/Jim Knapp Collective and in Europe with Jim Nollman of Interspecies Communication Inc. In 2000 he released the CD “Off-Road Vocals.”
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ADACHI Tomomi

ADACHI Tomomi is a performer/composer, sound poet, instrument builder and installation artist. Known for his versatile style, he has performed improvised music and contemporary works by John Cage, Cornelius Cardew, Christian Wolff, etc. all over the world including Tate Modern, Centre Pompidou, Merkin Hall, STEIM, Experimental Intermedia, Melbourne International Arts Festival and Flanders Festival. As the only Japanese performer of sound poetry, he performed Kurt Schwitters's "Ursonate" as a Japan premiere in 1996. Also he directed Japanese premiere of John Cage's "Europera5" in 2007. CDs include the solo albums from Tzadik, Omegapoint and Naya records.
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Posuposu Otani

Posuposu Otani is a throat singer, song-writer, and jaw-harp player originally from Kamakura Kanagawa. He has been doing research in overtone music for more than 10 years, and he is a member of the Japan Jew's Harp Association.
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Michiko Yoshino

Michiko Yoshino is a musician and visual artist. She has performed as a vocalist both in Tokyo and abroad, and she has studied vocal improvisation with Rhiannon. She uses Jazz a base but does not adhere to a certain style of music. She has released three albums to date.
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Madoki Yamasaki

Madoki Yamasaki is a musician and a poet. He sings and plays guitar in the band F.I.B JOURNAL. They have performed at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2009, GREENROOM FESTIVAL 2010 and have released 4 albums. Their style is Jazz with a Beatnik edge and angry punk sprit.
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Tokuhisa William

Tokuhisa William is a vocalist who strives to expand the possibilities of the human voice. He was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and grew up in Brazil, L.A., Hong Kong, and Tokyo. He plays noise music, improvisation, pop/rock, folkloric and contemporary music. He was an original member of the overtone singing group "VAIONS" (1999-2003), leader of Noiz choir (2003 – present), member of "Yatsu-mattaz", does solo improvisation, readings, and also produces and promotes music events. In addition to his activities in music, he is active in the fields of Butoh dance, modern dance and live painting.
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Art Work by Ko Kamejima