Elisabeth Nygaard

Elisabeth Nygaard is a performing and composing vocalist. She has a Masters Degree in Jazz and Contemporary Studies, specializing in voice and advanced vocal techniques. She currently resides in Leeds,UK, where she performs regulary and conducts private vocal tuition. Her main projects are STAVANGER KITCHEN ORCHESTRA, which is a collective of 17 versatile musicians who enthusiastically get together to create noise and cause havoc. Through an improvisation-based process, and with the assistance of special guest-musicians and composers, the ensemble strives to develop a sound and performance nature, that explores the relationship between the individual and det orchestral. The outcome is modern improvised music in a cross between contemporary music and jazz.In addition she regularly performs and composes for CURIOUS VOICE DUO, which is a close collaboration with fellow voice musician, Maria Jardardottir, in which the aim is to fully utilize their instrument; the voice. They strive to challenge themselves and each other rhythmically, melodically, exploring all forms of improvisation.Their debut album 'At the Tip and the Root of the Tongue' was released in March 2007.www.myspace.com/curiousvoiceduo. Elisabeth also performs in, writes the material exclusively, and runs the band PUNCH DRUNK BITCH- a seven piece band which aims to combine sheer beauty and a blend of lush moods with compound creativity, collective and individual open and structured improvisation, filthy grooves and hard hitting drum n bass. www.myspace.com/punchdrunkbitch.The most recent project is HARD-TIME ORCHESTRA, in which Elisabeth, together with Richard Ormrod and Jonny Flockton plays with the early traditions of Roots'n old boots'n Blues. They play songs by Memphis Slim, Skip James, Woody Guthrie, Tom Waits and the occasional original pearl. Hard-Time Orchestra appreciates that it's hard to find true love and keep it, make the payments, hold down a steady job, feed the dog and excist in this puzzle of politics and heartaches, and expresses a little heartfelt and uncritical attention for all you folks. In addition, Elisabeth recently joined the London-based ensemble,MooV, led by composer/producer Colin Riley. MooV blur all the edges of contemporary music mixing in state-of-the-art visual presentations and an essential amount of improvisation. Subdued lyricism and subtle, unpredictable melodies combine with electronic tintinnabulation and spare, yet complex instrumental soundscapes.Elisabeth is a proud member of LIMA, Leeds improvised music association. www.limaonline.org.uk