PERFORMERS

Arvel Bird

Fans worldwide call legendary violinist Arvel Bird, “Lord of the Strings” for his powerful talent and artistic passion that draws audiences to his unique fiddling style. Classically trained, Bird calls on his Native American and Celtic heritage to create a repertoire that ranges from classical, new age, Celtic, and folk, to jazz, blues and fusion.

Award-winning violinist, flutist and storyteller, Bird’s charismatic performances extend beyond his flawless music. An expressive storyteller, he weaves stories of Native American spirituality with haunting melodies to give vision to his music. He speaks of Native American wisdom, the sacredness of Mother Earth, the environment and the sacred totems of the animals with whom we share this planet.

Bird’s messages resonate with today’s audiences often feeling overwhelmed by today’s hectic, fast-paced world. Bird’s energetic and alluring stage presence and blend of classical and foot-stomping fiddling are what make him one of the most sought-after Native American musicians on tour today. With 25 CDs and 2 DVDs under his belt, Native American Artist of the Year Arvel Bird will be releasing his latest album in January, 2010, Ride, Indian, Ride. His breakthrough album, Ride, Indian, Ride combines a hard-hitting, raw blues/jazz sound with the Native American/Celtic rhythms that have made Arvel Bird’s music so popular worldwide.

Lowery Begay

Lowery is from the Dine’ (Navajo) Nations and was raised on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and Arizona. Lowery grew up learning the traditional Navajo ways, by his grandparents. Lowery has been dancing as a hoop dancer and Northern Style Fancy dancer for most of his life, and has been dancing, storytelling and playing the Native Flute professionally for over 15 years.

Lowery competed at the World Hoop Dance contest every year at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, and is currently ranked second in the world as a hoop dancer. Lowery holds the 2004 Schemitzun Hoop Dance Champion. In 2005, Lowery was part of a major production as a hoop dancer and fancy dancer called “Spirit: The Seventh Fire.”

Lowery has had the opportunity to share his gift around the world traveling and performing in Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, England, and the Grand Opening of the Native American Museum in Washington, D.C.

Sicanni

Flute Player / Drummer / Actor / Performer/Musician who bases his music on spirituality intended to touch The Soul in order to create a better world ruled by LOVE.

Sicanni22@hotmail.com

Tloke Nahuake

Aztec Dancers

Ottertrail

Formed in 1992 in the northeastern U.S. by Alexander Santos, Will Mosley, Matt Harmon, Urie Ridgeway, Benjamin Roldan, Mark Hicks and Harry J. Gould, this intertribal southern style powwow singing group eventually grew to include many other singers from across the U.S. including Mr. Don Neconie and his son, Pete “Echohawk” Neconie who were instrumental in the teachings of southern plains music. They received their name from a suggestion given to them by the late Johnny Lone Chief, (Otoe, Kaw). The name was to symbolize some aspect of southern style plains culture so the name Ottertrail was born and it indeed represents a very important item of clothing worn by the southern straight dancer, the otter drag or trail. Their first recording, “Live at Hunter Mountain ’95” helped establish them across the U.S. They have been invited to participate as Host Drum at many gatherings as well as entering many drum contests all across powwow country. Along the way they have garnished many winnings and most importantly, many friendships and relations. Lance Tahchawwickah, Gabe and Roland Castillo, Quannah White Thunder, Sonny Blackbear, The Ketcheshawno Family, Stephan Blackbear, The Towne Family of Alabama, The Yellowfish Family, Davie, Delbert, Herbert and the rest of the Johnson Family out of the Alabama Coushatta Reservation in Livingston, TX are just a few of the folks that made Ottertrail who they are today and to those singers above and to all those not mentioned, (you know who you are) we say thank you for being there during our transitions! Ottertrail were recipients of a N.A.M.A. (Native American Music Awards) nomination in 1997 for their “Family Songs Southern Style” album and a 1998 award for a c.d. entitled “Various Drums at Gathering of Nations” under the S.O.A.R. label. Their recording with S.O.A.R. entitled “Red River Crossing” (which earned them a GRAMMY award for “Best Producer of the Year”) and one entitled “Brotherhood” by Red Lightning Records out of Canada featuring the Sioux Nation Singers, have established them as a popular drum group in Canada as well. Their new c.d. entitled “Trailblazin” produced by “Red Blanket Prods.” is out and we hope you enjoy it as well. Al Santos has also been featured as guest artist on various recordings including “Brule”, The motion picture theme song for Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible” just to name a few. To all the folks who have supported us in the past but most importantly to God we say thank you and we’ll see you on the powwow trail somewhere!

In Loving Memory of

Joanne Shenandoah

Joanne Shenandoah, Ph.D., is one of “America’s most celebrated and critically acclaimed Native American musicians of her time”, Associated Press. She is a Grammy Award winner with 3 Nominations), over 40 music awards(including 14 Native American Music awards) with music ranging from solo to full symphony and 18 recordings. She is a humanitarian, working as a peace advocate, earth justice and has captured the hearts of audiences all over the world, from North and South America, South Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia.She has received multiple awards and praise for her work to promote universal peace and understanding.She is a direct descendent of the famed “Chief Shenandoah” who is noted to have been given a “Peace Medal” by George Washington and established Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (The Oneida Academy).

Shenandoah is a founding board member of the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge www.hiawatha.syr.edu, a non-profit higher learning educational facility that is based on Iroquois principles. Also, in 2014 she served as Co-Chair for the Attorney General’s National Task Force of Children Exposed to Violence for the Department of Justice. Shenandoah has performed for noted leaders such as His Holiness the Dali Lama, Nelson Mandela, Huston Smith, Mikhail Gorbachev, and is celebrated with the honor of East – West Interfaith Ministry

In Memory of

Kashka LaRue

Without a written language, Indians relied heavily upon the caretaker of legends, or Legend Keeper, to learn what could be learned and passed on about life. Kashka La Rue is a Legend Keeper. He tells Alaskan legends preserved by his Heritage Foundation. He is an enrolled member of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida tribes of Alaska

Additional Information

Call Tony Ledford at: 352 636-4271
ThunderSpiritFam@yahoo.com