Joan La Barbara

Joan La Barbara (born June 8, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA) is an American vocalist and composer associated with contemporary music. She is a former student of Helen Boatwright. She has worked with her husband Morton Subotnick since 1979, as well with many other contemporary composers such as John Cage, Robert Ashley, Morton Feldman, Philip Glass, Larry Austin, Peter Laurence Gordon, and the dancer Merce Cunningham. She has also worked with Kenneth Goldsmith. She also composed the music for the Sesame Street animated film “Signing Alphabet,” for electronics and voice.

While she is known primarily for her vocal abilities and extended techniques, she is also an accomplished and respected composer. Her albums include

• Voice Is the Original Instrument: Early Works (1976/2003). Wizard 2266/Lovely Music 3003.
• Sound Paintings
• Shamansong (New World Music)
• The Reluctant Gypsy (Wizard Records) RVW 2279

External links

• Joan La Barbara's Official Site
• New Albion Artist: Joan La Barbara
• Lovely Music Artist: Joan La Barbara
• Mode Artist: Joan La Barbara
• CDeMUSIC: Joan La Barbara
• UbuWeb: Joan La Barbara featuring 73 Poems (1993), text by Kenneth Goldsmith
• NewMusicBox cover: Joan La Barbara in conversation with Molly Sheridan, January 30, 2006 (includes video) (plus a master class with Joan La Barbara)

Listening

• Joan La Barbara interview