“By mining traditional Navajo “spinning songs” of love, healing and courtship, and marrying them to jazz and funk lines, Anderson and his trio have taken a place at the forefront of a vibrant Native American jazz scene.”

The trumpeter’s trio takes inspiration from traditional Navajo songs. Its work has stirred up global interest, as well as conversations about the responsibilities of Indigenous artists.

Read Full Article Here

DDAT wants to thank everyone for subscribing to their page! We wanted to say hello from South Dakota’s Crazy Horse Memorial. DDAT just finished a show with the great Doc Native from the Seminole tribe of Florida. We have so many people and organizations to thank who have helped us with our journey to the New York Times!

We have been able to create such an organic team of individuals. Many of us met though local gigs. Later we all became friends. From time to time we still get together and make things happen. There’s nothing like having support from those who believe in you and have very special gifts. 

To the Crew:

Jude Candelaria – Sound Engineer 

Carlos Martinez – Graphics/Photos

Dakarai Williams – Office Management 

Maurice Johnson – Media

Gerardo Diaz – Tech/Video

Karen Ellsbury & Patrick Hazen – Support/Space Management

Mentors are such an important part of walking in the industry. We are so thankful for those who took the time and still do to this day to mentor and guide our ensemble through life, business and the arts. 

To our Mentors:

David Greenberg 

Ed Bourgeois

Gargi Shindé

Tim Wilson

Shane Cadman

Organizations have been such a huge help in completing our projects. Many of our grants and awards were to build a growing and sustainable art project. We are happy to announce all projects funded are continuing to grow and tour. 

Supportive Organizations:

Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation – supporting our community jazz jams and jazz festival in Farmington, NM.

South Arts – granting DDAT the Jazz Road Creative Residencies 2021 (Bureau of Land Management Tour) and Jazz Road Tour 2023 (Jacob C Morgan Tour). 

Mid Atlantic Arts – supporting our South Africa project and Kindred Spirits Album. USArtists International Award.

Lewis Prize for Music – supporting our Build A Band project fostering & nurturing young musicians in Farmington, NM. Think Tank Youth Program.

First Peoples Fund – supporting our Bureau of Land Management tour and Build A Band project. Cultural Capital Fellow 2023.

Chamber Music America – helping develop our regional jazz presenters consortium! Presenters Jazz Consortium 2021 & 2022. Shout out to Cortez Cultural Center, gallupARTS and Northwest New Mexico Arts Council. 

WESTAF – for the leaderships skills and mentorship. Emerging Leaders Program 2021.

We would like to thank those who have given us space to relax, think and create! All of our projects were built with the help of space, environment and funding.

To our Creative Residencies:

Caldera Arts

Willowtail Springs

Some Serious Business

Cortez Cultural Center 

Farmington Civic Center

Institute of American Indian Art – March 8 – April 20, 2023

Bureau of Land Management – August 2 – September 3, 2023

Hawaii Volcanoes National Monument – October 3 – 31, 2023

PROJECTS

Kindred Spirits – A Navajo-South African Story

Diné & Zulu cultures cross collaborate to bring a performance/story about cultural hardship and the importance of Indigenous tribal Matriarch.

Grandma’s Song Release March 8, 2023 (International Women’s Day)

Kindred Spirits Album Releases April 1, 2023

www.contentca.co.za

South Africa Tour in conjunction with WOMAD

Sept. 21 – Oct. 2, 2023

Spirit Coalescent 

Eight (8ft x 4.4ft) canvases telling the story of how Indigenous peoples heal themselves through the landscapes. 2023 brings a new cast featuring Rena Priest (WA State Poet Laureate), Stephen Brown Dance Studio, the Delbert Anderson Trio and photo fusion artists Karen Ellsbury & Patrick Hazen. Multi-Media Presentation featuring art, music, dance and poetry.

Currently searching for Residency 

DDAT Suite

The Delbert Anderson Trio’s original compositions arranged for large group ensembles. Every new location, a new piece is composed by Franklin and the trio with the Indigenous tribes representing the lands in which we will be performing. We then premiere the piece with the large group. While the trio and Franklin are rehearsing during the week, we offer a numerous amount of workshops, community outreach and engagements. DDAT Suite has worked very well in the University setting. The project also helps connect many different departments with your performance space. 

DDAT Suite Opening New Oregon Theater (Stay updated for details) 

April 6, 2024 

Build A Band

Fosters and Nurtures young musicians in the fields of music business and artistic development. The Third Hour has been supported by the Lewis Prize of Music and First Peoples Fund. The will be doing a mentored 2023 tour with the Delbert Anderson Trio:

June 7 – Gallup, NM

June 8 – Santa Fe, NM

June 9 – Ignacio, CO

June 10 – Cortez, CO

June 11 – Farmington, NM

Painted Mountains

A partnership between the Delbert Anderson Trio and Bureau of Land Management. The Trio visits the BLM Artist in Residency locations and connects with the Indigenous tribes and compose pieces inspired by their culture and land environment. The project celebrates public land access and Indigenous cultures. 2022 consisted of 5 locations 5 performances, 5 workshops and 5 research days with the Indigenous tribes. This year, we will visit 13 sites:

Painted Mountains Tour 2023

Organ Mountains Desert Peaks, Las Cruces, NM – Aug. 2 & 3

El Malpais NCA (Rio Puerco), Grants, NM – Aug. 4 & 5

Canyon of the Ancients, Delores, CO – Aug. 7 & 8

Gunnison Gorge NCA, Montrose, CO – Aug. 9 & 10

Dominguez/Escalante NCA, Grand Junction, CO – Aug. 11 & 12

Canyon Country District, Moab, UT – Aug. 13 & 14

Basin and Range National Monument, Advent, NV – Aug. 16 & 17

California Trail Interpretive Center, Elko, NV – Aug. 18 & 19

Morley Snake River Birds of Prey, Boise, ID – Aug. 20 & 21

Lake Simsimtus, Warm Springs, OR – Aug. 23 & 24

King Range NCA, Shelter Cove, CA – Aug. 27 & 28

California Coastal NM at Trinidad, Trinidad, CA – Aug. 29 & 30

San Juan Islands NM, Lopez Island, WA – Sept. 2 & 3

Currently seeking partners, sponsorships and funding.

Naat’áanii Musical 

Naat’áanii struggles to whether to choose a traditional life or a modern society way of living. Through dance, Naat’áanii begins to find his true identity while going through many life trials. New Native Theatre is currently working with the musical. To be released 2024…

Currently searching for Residency 

The Jacob C. Morgan Project 

Jacob C. Morgan was a Diné trumpet player who was born in Crownpoint, NM (1879) and died in Farmington, NM (1950). The project is mainly an ongoing research project to expose the history of a Diné historical figure. During our research, we were able to find music of Indigenous bands who came our of the Indigenous Boarding School systems. These songs were arranged in the trio’s way of performance. South Arts supported these efforts and awarded us with the jazz road touring grant which will follow Jacob’s locations according to his milestones in life. During the tour, we will have a brief presentation about  Jacob C. Morgan and his important contribution to today’s living.

Jacob’s Tour 2023

May 30 – Crownpoint, NM

May 31 – Gallup, NM

June 1 – Ft. Defiance, AZ

June 2 – Ignacio, CO

June 3 – Cortez, CO

June 4 – Farmington, NM

Searching for funding to help create statue in Farmington, NM

Delbert Anderson Trio

The Delbert Anderson Trio allows improvised sounds of the Diné circle to resurface with jazz, funk and hip-hop. The trio brings all venues back to the social tornado of Diné Spinning songs. Spinning Songs were composed to teach all people stories and traditions of the past, present and future. The trio researched Diné melodies of the past for inspiration, perform our stories for today and preserve cultural music for the future.  

Hózhó (Beauty & Balance) formed the trio by combining different personal identities and cultural backgrounds. K’é (Family Values) keeps the trio together as one unit practicing the values of love, compassion, kindness, friendliness, generosity and peacefulness.  

Upcoming DDAT shows:

April 8 – Stanford Live, Stanford, CA

April 15 – IAIA Presentation Event, Santa Fe, NM

May 15 – Spokane Fall Community College, Spokane, WA

May 19 – Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds, WA

May 20 – Center for the Arts at Kayenta, Kayenta, UT

May 21 – Boulder Arts Council, Boulder, UT

May 27 – Riverfest, Farmington, NM

June 30 – Jazz in the Gardens, D.C.

July 12 – Green Box Arts, Green Mountain Falls, CO

July 14/15 – California Worldfest, Grass Valley, CA

July 21 – OKC Levitt Amp, Clifton, OK

November 3/4 – Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood, CO

November 11 – Clovis Community College, Clovis, NM

(For booking, please contact [email protected] or andre@indigenousperformance.org)

Press: Delbert Anderson (505)-478-7004 

Thank you for all your support!

Please check out other projects:

Anderson’s Don Cherry Project

Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band

Welcome to Indian Country

SHOW AT THE GRAND THÉÂTRE DE QUÉBEC / SOIRÉE TELUS+ / ANACHNID

with Bran Van 3000, The Brooks and Lydia Képinski

Tiohtiá:ke (Montreal), January 31, 2023 – Hello, kuei (innu-aimun), kweih (crie), kwei (atikamekw), boozhoo (anishinabé), kwaï (w8banaki), pusu’l (micmaque), kwehkwe (kanien’ke’ha), waachiyaa (naskapi), ai (inuktitut), ndio (wendat), ‘qey (wolastoqey) ! 

On February 17, TELUS and the Grand Théâtre de Québec will present the Soirée Telus+, featuring Anachnid, Lydia Képinski, The Brooks and Bran Van 3000, hosted by Pierre-Yves Lord. As part of the third year of its 10-year agreement with the Grand Théâtre de Québec, TELUS will donate $10 to Musique Nomade for each ticket reserved, which will allow the organization to continue to work towards the development and recognition of the musical talents of Indigenous artists. 

“This show is clearly in keeping with the spirit of the partnership between TELUS and the Grand Théâtre, which aims to promote the performing arts and enhance the programming through innovative projects,” said Christian Noël, director of programming at the Grand Théâtre de Québec. In addition to enjoying the performances of high-level artists, the audience will have the opportunity to live a unique experience during this magnificent evening.” 

“MN is pleased and honoured to have the support of TELUS for its show at the Grand Théâtre de Québec. This support will help us in our activities that contribute to the development and recognition of Indigenous talents and identities in music,” said Joëlle Robillard, Executive and Artistic Director, Musique Nomade. Thank you to all music lovers who will purchase a ticket and for whom musical passion will be synonymous with support for Indigenous artists.”

To purchase your tickets for the Soirée TELUS+ at the Grand Theatre, visit soireetelusplus.ca. Clients who are members of the PRIMO benefits program are entitled to a pair of free tickets. More information is available here.

RESERVE / BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

PHOENIX – ANACHNID

Director : Adien Villagomez
℗©Musiquenomade2022

LISTEN TO HER ALBUM DREAMWEAVER

Toronto, Ontario (February 9, 2023) – Ishkōdé Records, an Indigenous and women-owned label dedicated to amplifying and advocating for Indigenous artists, songs, and stories in the commercial landscape, has entered into a joint venture to launch their publishing arm with CCS Rights Management, a leading global independent music publishing, rights administration, and creative services company.

The CCS team will supply administrative support and expertise through their worldwide network and creative support for any signings identified by Ishkōdé through songwriting opportunities, synchronization placements, song camps, co-writes, and more.

Led by Anishinaabekwe artist and activist ShoShona Kish (of the group Digging Roots) and Métis community organizer and solo artist Amanda Rheaume, Ishkōdé Records approaches independent label operations through the lens of female artist entrepreneurship and long-standing industry experience, from a culturally rooted foundation.

Ishkōdé Records is celebrating its two recent Juno Awards nominations in the Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year, for Aysanabee’s Watin and Digging Roots’ Zhawenim. The label roster also includes Rheaume and Morgan Toney, a Mi’kmaq singer-songwriter and fiddler from Wagmatcook First Nation, in what is commonly known as Nova Scotia.

“Our team is thrilled to be working with CCS as we continue to grow the Ishkōdé Records family,” said ShoShona Kish, Ishkode Records Co-Founder and President. “The team at CCS has established themselves in the music industry, not just on Turtle Island, but globally. We are excited to see what this joint venture will bring and what our combined passions and talents can accomplish to amplify and elevate the brilliant and critical work of Indigenous songwriters.”

“We could not be more grateful and excited about this joint venture with Ishkōde Records,” said Jodie Ferneyhough, CCS Founder and President. “The company that ShoShona and Amanda have built is incredibly unique and important, and we look forward to working with them more as they expand the Ishkōde mission into music publishing.”

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About Ishkōdé Records

Ishkōdé Records is an Indigenous and women-owned label created to foster and amplify Indigenous voices. Led by the artists, organizers, and activists Anishinaabekwe ShoShona Kish (of the group Digging Roots) and Métis singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume, Ishkōdé approaches independent label operations through the lens of female artist entrepreneurship, long-standing industry experience, and cultural and ancestral processes. The word Ishkōdé means fire in Anishinaabemowin.

About CCS Rights Management

CCS Rights Management is a global independent music publishing and rights administration company providing a full range of services to its roster of award-winning, established, and up-and-coming songwriters, artists, musicians, producers, and labels, as well as global media and production companies, and corporate brands. The company manages more than 150,000 copyrights and specializes in publishing administration, royalty collection, creative services, neighbouring rights administration, and music licensing for film, TV advertising, games, and other media. For more information, visitccsrightsmanagement.com and daytrippersongs.com.

Follow on social media:

Ishkōdé Records: @ishkoderecords
CCS Rights Management: @CCSRights

Media Contacts:

Laurie Jakobsen 917.697.2274 / [email protected]
Casey DeArmon 678.622.2692 / [email protected]

Yup’ik culture bearer and Pamyua bandmember Qacung Blanchett has been using music to perpetuate culture for three decades, and recently the support has been rolling in. In late 2021, Blanchett received a Native Arts & Cultures Foundation SHIFT award to develop a series of workshops that strengthen Sugpiaq/Alutiiq drumming and dancing on Kodiak Island. In early 2022, he was recognized as a United States Artist Fellow and named one of the Kennedy Center’s Next 50. “I’m really excited. To get this type of recognition is pretty huge. It’s pretty big for any artist,” he said.

USA Fellows receive $50,000 of unrestricted funding and support from a financial advisor to use the money in the most impactful way. Blanchett released a solo album in 2021, and he said the fellowship funds are a resource that could help him continue creating his own music. 

To celebrate a half century, the Kennedy Center recognized 50 leaders in arts, athletics, and other disciplines. The center and the 50 leaders will collaborate to continue offering opportunities in arts and heritage. “I’m going to be leveraging that resource of the Kennedy Center to be able to uplift the work we’re doing in cultural justice and decolonization work we do in schools and communities,” Blanchett said.

On top of his personal artistic pursuits and educational initiatives, Blanchett works as the Art Education Director for Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. He spearheaded the creation of the Juneau-based Rock Áak’w festival, an indigenous music festival that launched in November 2021 and will be an ongoing event held every other year. Learn more about Blanchett on qacung.com.

Nunavut Music seeks to support industry professionals and strengthen Inuit language and culture.

Until recently, Nunavut was the only Canadian province or territory without an official music industry association. With the establishment of Nunavut Music, that is no longer the case.

The mission of the non-profit organization is to help Nunavut artists and industry workers create sustainable careers in music through professional development, administrative assistance, fundraising, performance opportunities, travel support, networking opportunities, and more.

Other objectives include advocacy and representation at industry events, promotion to global markets, and strengthening of Inuit languages and culture through music. In short, Nunavut Music is designed to become a singular music development hub and contact point.

The organization will be run by a volunteer staff and steering committee, whose members will represent and lobby on behalf of local needs. In order to serve, individuals, groups, and organizations must be either: 

• Nunavut industry professionals with 2+ years experience
• Canadian industry professionals 15+ years experience, or
• Representatives from Nunavut-based arts, cultural, and economic development organizations, which are either democratically elected, demographically-representative, or reputable advocates of the interests of Nunavummiut artists.

The founding organizational members include Qaggiavuut Society, Alianait Arts Festival, Hitmakerz, Iqaluit Music Society, and several others. A callout for artist and industry professional members will be announced soon. Consultations with the Government of Nunavut, Travel Nunavut, L’Association des francophones du Nunavut, and other related music industry stakeholders are also underway.

The organization’s Executive Director will be Thor Simonsen, a long-time supporter of Nunavut’s music industry. Simonsen grew up in Iqaluit, but is currently based in Ottawa. He has worked as a professional musician, music producer, instructor, and record label executive.

The organization was founded in December 2022, and once properly up and running, Nunavut Music hopes to launch many new programs and services for Nunavummiut, starting in 2023. Plans to train and hire Inuit staff and provide services in both Inuktitut and French are also currently in development.

To learn more, please visit www.nunavutmusic.com

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For more information, please contact [email protected]
For logos and press photos, please click here.

The original exhibit Creations of Spirit will be open at the High Desert Museum opening January 28, 2023, and will run through October 1, 2023

News announcement from High Desert Museum

For many Native communities throughout the High Desert, what constitutes art spans beyond the walls of a gallery or a museum. Objects are alive, tied to purpose and intrinsic to thriving communities. Art is at once utilitarian and ceremonial, as well as part of the continuation of Native traditions.

Opening on January 28, 2023, Creations of Spirit will immerse High Desert Museum visitors in the Indigenous Plateau worldview, reflecting knowledge systems of tribes along the Columbia River and its tributaries.

Six Native artists commissioned for this new, original exhibition are creating artwork that will be used in Native communities before arriving at the Museum. A seventh artist is creating an interactive piece for the center of the gallery. Creations of Spirit will be a one-of-a-kind, celebratory experience featuring the stories of these living works of art. Videos, audio and large projections will immerse visitors in the landscapes and communities in which these objects are used, highlighting the theme of artwork as alive, full of stories and created for specific purposes and people. The original works will be supplemented with nine artifacts on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

“The works offered by these deeply gifted and knowledgeable artists will be used in their communities to teach and share traditions,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “And the objects will continue to be available to Native communities to use even after Creations of Spirit closes as part of the Museum’s collection. We plan for community members to continue to access these objects.”

About the Native artists

The artists in Creations of Spirit have roots throughout the Plateau region.

Joe Feddersen (Colville) is an acclaimed contemporary sculptor, basket weaver, painter, photographer and mixed-media artist who created a basket for the exhibition that will be used to harvest roots in the spring. Feddersen, a member of the Colville Confederated Tribal Arts and Humanities Board, received the Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native American Fine Art award in 2021 and is one of six Indigenous artists to be featured in the 2023 Renwick Gallery Invitational at the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

RYAN! Feddersen (Colville) is a well-known regional artist working on an art piece for the center of the Creations of Spirit gallery. Feddersen grew up in Wenatchee, Washington and is now based in Tacoma. Her visual artwork utilizes metaphor, history, Plateau storytelling and pop culture influences. Her large-scale pieces have been shown at the Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Art & History Santa Cruz, Burke Museum and Portland Art Museum.

Natalie Kirk (Warm Springs) is weaving two baskets that will be used to educate youth through schools and community programs. Kirk considers herself a contemporary weaver who has shown her artwork at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in partnership with the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland.

H’Klumaiyat Roberta Joy Kirk (Wasco, Warm Springs, Diné) is creating regalia for young women to wear during special ceremonies. Kirk has spent her life sewing and beading since her family lost priceless family heirlooms in a house fire as a young girl. She passes down the intricate art of Plateau beadwork through classes and mentoring. Kirk was a recipient of the 2020 Governor’s Arts Award.

Phillip Cash Cash, Ph.D. (Cayuse, Nez Perce) is producing traditional Plateau flutes that he will play to teach others about their cultural significance. Cash Cash is an artist, writer, endangered language advocate and linguistic anthropology scholar. As a fluent Nez Perce speaker, he works with communities and professional organizations to promote cultural advocacy, identity and communication. He co-founded the Luk’upsiimey/North Star Collective, which supports Indigenous artists and writers. Cash Cash serves on the board of the Endangered Language Fund and the Native Voices Endowment.

Jefferson Greene (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) is constructing a tule reed canoe and paddles used by Native youth in continuing important cultural traditions. Greene is an executive at the Columbia River Institute for Indigenous Development Foundation and an Ichishkiin who offers classes to students, kindergarten to the professional level, in language, arts, and language instructor. Greene is also an artist who offers classes to students, from kindergarten to professional levels, in language, arts, sports, health and spiritual education.

Kelli Palmer (Wasco, Warm Springs) is creating a traditional corn husk hat known as a Patłapa. Palmer grew up on the Warm Springs Reservation. At a Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association gathering, Palmer’s mother tricked her into walking around the room. Palmer attended her first class, and she’s been weaving ever since. She now teaches basketry classes throughout Oregon and Washington. Among numerous awards, she received Best in Show at the Tribal Member Art Show in Warm Springs in 2009 and Honorable Mention in 2011.

The original exhibit Creations of Spirit will be open at the High Desert Museum through Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/creations-of-spirit.

Creations of Spirit is made possible by Bend Cultural Tourism Fund, Central Oregon Daily, Ford Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Old Mill District, Oregon Community Foundation and Oregon Heritage Commission with support from Bend Magazine, Cascade A&E and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon, in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The social justice organization will hold events at the film festival Jan. 21 and 22.

By Rebecca Sun

Courtesy of IllumiNative

Sundance will continue to see a number of first-time official “houses” dedicated to specific cultural groups during the 2023 festival. IllumiNative, the Indigenous social justice organization founded in 2018, will host the inaugural Indigenous House on Main Street in Park City from Jan. 21 and 22.

“The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation. The Indigenous House is a celebration of the contributions made by Native creatives, artists, filmmakers and the creativity, beauty and strength of Native peoples,” IllumiNative founder and executive director Crystal Echo Hawk said in a statement. “Our hope is to create a space where Native and non-Native peoples can come together in community, learn and get inspired, acknowledge the barriers Native peoples have overcome and still face in the film industry, as well as celebrate the Native films selected for this year and the opportunities in the future to bring more Native stories, talent and voices to audiences.”

The two-day schedule of events will include dinners and panel discussions that integrate film with music, fashion and food. Themes discussed will focus on Native impact on pop culture and society, including: Indigenous women and women of color in entertainment; the growing role of tribes as well as Native talent and companies in the film industry; the importance and impact of visibility and representation; and the contribution of Native creatives, activists and other leaders in the entertainment industry.

At Indigenous House, IllumiNative is also expected to unveil its new research on the impact of Native films and television shows on audiences, as well as offer opportunities to partner with and invest in Indigenous creatives and Indian Country. The house is made possible with support from Open Society Foundations, the Pechanga Band of Indians, Pop Culture Collaborative, Decolonizing Wealth Project, The Christensen Fund, Culture Change Fund, MacArthur Foundation and Nielsen.

Hip Hop artist gambles on new direction in Country music, wins Okimaw Award, more winter performances and a new single thats going strong

CANCON – INDIGENOUS  – ALBERTA

Happy new year music family! 

When Edmonton based Indigenous artist Rellik ventured away from Hip Hop, and chose to explore the boundaries of music, he was heading into uncharted waters.

But after a full album and 2 years worth of performances throughout North America, his feet are now wet within the Country music market.

“It was such a roll of the dice for me. I had just had an amazing run  in Hip Hop, won major awards and was being plastered and placed all over the spectrum, but I knew there was a world beyond Rap music for me and I needed to do this.”

Fresh off the heels of an award win at Edmonton’s city hall at the 2022 Okimaw Awards which celebrates Indigenous men who display leadership qualities in their communities, Rellik has a brand new single, This Town, which is doing well on local radio stations as well as syndicated shows throughout North America and around the globe including CFWE/ CJWE , CBC RADIO ONE Key of A , Tunes from Turtle Island across Europe , U.K and Australia, Julian Taylors Jukebox, and Indigenous in Music with Larry K and the NV1 Network which syndicates across 200+ stations to name but a few.

While the new single is still picking up steam following the Christmas break, Rellik is also scheduled to perform at this year’s Deep Freeze Festival on January 21 and 22nd as well as tour support for Ishkode Records Artist, Aysnabee who rolls through Edmonton on February 10th at the Aviary.

Hear more about the new single here!

Download press kit and all assets here!

Rellik is available for features or interviews and greatly appreciates any media coverage.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected]

780-887-6291

[email protected]    

www.jessitoms.com

ANOTHER NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC ROCK ICON LOST

Lifetime Achievement recipient Lee Tiger (Miccosukee) of the premiere Native rock group who helped forge a Native rock music movement with his brother Stephen in Tiger Tiger, has died. He passed from an illness at the age of 72. According to his brother William Tiger, a memorial service was held on Tuesday morning, January 10th 2023 at the Woodlawn Park South in Miami, Florida.

Lee and his brother Stephen Tiger of Tiger Tiger were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Eighth Annual Native American Music Awards held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida in 2006. The brothers were recognized for their 40-plus year career achievements as innovators of the early Native American rock music movement.  In their recipient speech Lee stated, “We’re trying to educate people through music.” Stephen provided encouragement to the younger generation and said, “If you have the talent, stick with it. Believe in yourself. Believe in our Breathmaker. Let your talent flow.  Be strong and one of these days something good will happen to you.” https://youtu.be/guEpr62TmbM

Sadly, their presence at the Awards would be the brothers’ final public appearance together. Tragically, Stephen Tiger died of a head injury after an accidental fall in his Miami home. He was 57 years old. Later that year, Lee completed the recordings he and his brother were last working on and released, “Eye of the Tiger” and
and “Native To This Country.” Seven years after the death of his brother, Lee began recording again and released several more albums as a solo artist.  In 2013, he recorded and released his first solo album entitled, “New Era”. Two years later, he released, “Chapter I: The Adventure Called Life” album. In 2017, he released “One Earth One People Come Together Chapter II” and re-released a remixed version of the title song in April 2021 which would be his last. A jacket worn by Lee is part of the memorabilia collection at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida recognizing him as a Native American rock pioneer.

Lee first started performing in the 1960’s with his brother Stephen Tiger as Tiger Tiger and continued together until their last album in 2006. The group sang of the love of their land in the Everglades set in their unique rock pop format with mainstream appeal.  Tiger Tiger successfully transcended Native and non-Native culture through their artistry. They performed from coast to coast as well as internationally and shared stages with such rock icons as; Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chicago, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, the Grateful Dead, Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Starship, and Johnny Winter among others. The band toured across the United States, Spain, Germany, South America and Europe. They released three albums on the ESP and Soar/Warrior labels, and one on their own imprint, TTM Records. Their debut album was entitled, “Dream Scout” and released in 1996. Their second recording was “Southern Exposure” in 2000 followed by “Peace from the Everglades” in 2005, a dedication to the survival of the Miccosukee and Seminole people of Florida which received a nomination from the Grammys, and several Native American Music Award nominations. 

Stephen and Lee Tiger grew up on what is now the Miccosukee reservation  located near Miami. When the two were young boys, they found two plastic guitars in a pile of toys that were delivered for children in their village. Lee Tiger had recalled, “We tuned them up and we started learning to play off those things. It worked.”  Their first gigs were in the Everglades until Lee and Stephen moved to Los Angeles. Lee did a stint with an act called, The Seven of Us, which later became NRBQ.  Stephen had formed a band in Los Angeles, called Sun Country which then became Tiger Tiger. But their father, Chief Buffalo Tiger, the first chief of the Miccosukee after the tribe split from the Seminole, brought them back home to help launch the Miccosukee Indian Arts Festival. This led to Lee’s other involvement in tourism and Stephen’s work in public relations for the tribe while they followed their true passion and continued to forge a Native American rock movement for the next 30 years.

Lee’s very last recording was the rerelease of his song off his solo album effort entitled, “One Earth, One People, Come Together” in April 2021. He played most of the instruments on the album. The song was a tribute to the legacy he created with his brother Stephen and aimed to be a rock and roll anthem for global unity and a call to action to protect the environment. 

News of Lee Tiger’s passing was immediately embraced by both members of the Miccosukee and Seminole nations as well as the Native American music community. Multiple award winner, and rock recording artist, Cody Blackbird of the Blackbird Band called Lee, “A true Legend” and fondly remembered when Lee invited him to play at the Miccosukee Tribal festival and the friendships he made there. 

Lee is survived by his sons, Eric and Calvin Tiger, and daughter, Summer Tiger, and several grandchildren. Lee will be deeply missed by his family and friends but has left a legacy of great music. Journey well Lee.

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