by Sandra Hale Schulman
News From Indian Counntry
Nominations for the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced early December by The Recording Academy, reflecting a year in which multiple genres were represented in top categories, new up-and-comers were nominated alongside established artists and a diverse array of producers and other creative professionals garnered multiple nominations. The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Feb. 11, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
The press event was held at The Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood and was attended by national and international media, as well as key music industry executives. Artists reading nominations included Mary J. Blige, James Blunt, Chris Brown, Evanescence’s Amy Lee, Ludacris, Corinne Bailey Rae, Rascal Flatts, Justin Timberlake and KT Tunstall.
Mary J. Blige tops the nominations with eight, while Red Hot Chili Peppers, whose lead singer Anthony Kiedis is part Native, (his father’s mother is Mohican), garnere six including Album of the Year, for Stadium Arcadium.
“These nominations truly reflect a diverse and vibrant community of music makers and creators who represent some of the most remarkable music of the year,” said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. “Once again, the GRAMMY Awards process has delivered a well-rounded group of excellent nominees, which promises music lovers a spectacular show filled with dynamic performances and ‘GRAMMY Moments’ that can only be seen on the GRAMMY Awards telecast.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers and Florida Seminole Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Neil Young earned nominations in the Rock field.
In the newly re-named Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album category, the nominations include Black Cadillac by Rosanne Cash (Cherokee).
GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed to the voting members of The Recording Academy on Dec. 13. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 10, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.
Still on the ballots despite talk of discontinuing the category is Best Native American Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental).
This years nominees are:
Voice Of The Drum
Black Eagle [Soar]
The Pueblo of Jemez is a small community about 50 miles north of Albuquerque, NM, consisting of adobe houses scattered hither and yon in the manner Native Americans prefer. The legend of the settlement’s creation tells that Father Sun issued a warning that if the people were to neglect or forget their traditions entirely, someone else would come along and take their lands.
The Black Eagle Singers are a force keeping the musical traditions of their ancestors alive in Jemez, a community dedicated enough to this philosophy to teach its children the original Native language of Towa before they are allowed to learn English. The group consists of five members of the Yepa clan and four other singers, all covering a combination of vocalizing and expressive rhythm done on the large traditional powwow drum. Terrence and Kendrick Casiquito also come from a musical family, and the lead vocalist is Glendon Toya. The group credits Little Jimmy Coyote as their introduction to the world of powwows, where the Black Eagle Singers now perform, particularly in the southeast United States.
The group was also given a few assists down the powwow trail by the Black Lodge Singers, one of the genre’s most prominent performing groups. The Black Eagle group has recorded a half-dozen different productions for various independent labels specializing in Native American or “na” music. Native American Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, is a remarkable production on Indian Sounds, followed up by a second volume that was the ensemble’s first release on compact disc. There are two volumes of Navajo Songs From Canyon de Chelly released through American Indian Sources, and Soaring High released by the appropriately named Pow Wow label.
Jemez and the members of the Black Eagle Singers remain in the forefront of current affairs in this part of the world, much of it focusing on the ownership of property of every conceivable sort from human remains to land. Bandmember David Yepa is also a lawyer in the Jemez Pueblo, and was one of a small group of prominent local residents appointed by former President Bill Clinton to the board of trustees for the new Valles Caldera National Preserve. The Black Eagle Singers performed at a ceremony in May of that year, in which Yepa also presented a prayer in his capacity as War Captain.
Heart Of The Wind
Robert Tree Cody & Will Clipman
[Canyon Records]
The haunting melodies of the Native American flute evoke the flow and cadences of breathing while the pulsing rhythms of the drum evoke the beating of the heart. This recording brings together these two very primal and human instruments in a collection of new and transforming compositions by two award-winning artists, Robert Tree Cody (Maricopa-Dakota) and Will Clipman.
American Indian Story
Jana [Soar]
Jana is the Native world’s biggest success in the mainstream music market charting several singles and becoming a dance club staple. Don’t let this recording slip by without a listen because her influences (Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, to name a few) are clearly evident in her superb vocal technique, flawless arrangements and stellar production.
Never compromising her Lumbee traditions or her core values; she has made her way in both worlds dazzling thousands of fans with her immeasurable vocal talent. “The true soul of my music reflects all aspects of my cultures.” “Being an ‘Urban Indian’ is to walk in both worlds but not compromise my cultural identity. I cannot ignore who I am and where I come from. I am proud that I can maintain my traditional customs while living in today’s world.”
Another important part of Jana’s life is her own Jana’s Kids organization, founded by her to help Native American youth achieve their dreams. It has become one of the most successful programs of its kind in America. Native American by birth and heritage, contemporary artist through hard work, destiny and the spirits, Jana brings a fresh outlook and exotic style to today’s music. Jana refers to her cultural anomaly as “Urban Indian.”
This is only a part of her mysterious allure. Her striking looks and powerful voice, coupled with the sensibilities of pop, R&B, world and gospel music create a compelling new mix that seduces your ear and overwhelms your senses.
Long Winter Nights
Northern Cree & Friends [Canyon Records]
For the Native peoples of northern Saskatchewan and Alberta, the cold months of winter are round dance times. People gather from near and far to attend these traditional social dances that last through the night. Filled with humor and good feelings, the songs that accompany the dance feature soaring vocals, and the steady rhythmic pulse of the hand drum. On this “live” recording the Northern Cree Singers of Alberta, one of the most respected pow-wow groups in the U.S. and Canada, host one of the largest round dances in North America. Listen as the songs of Canada’s finest round dance singers warm the heart during those long winter nights.
Dance With The Wind
Mary Youngblood [Silver Wave Records]
Silver Wave Records is proud to announce that Mary Youngblood, already a Grammy Winner, has just received her third nomination for the prestigious award. The Recording Academy bestowed the honor on her latest release Dance With The Wind when the nominations were announced.
Sometimes the wind whispers and sometimes the wind howls. When GRAMMY winner Mary Youngblood lets the wind flow through her Native American flutes the result is always one of beauty and joy.
Mary Youngblood just keeps getting better and her third Grammy nominated record is certainly a joy to behold. Stellar flute playing, signature song writing, creative arrangements, and unique instrumentation all combine to make this a superb recording.
Mary Youngblood’s recording career began with Silver Wave Records in 1998. They are proud to have released all five of the outstanding records that she has created since then. Right from the start they recognized that Mary is a special talent and that her flute playing stands out well above the crowd. They first showcased her talent on The Offering a solo flute project that quickly earned her a large base of fans and an award for Flutist of the Year from the Native American Music Awards.
Mary’s career has continued to blossom with each new release attracting more fans and earning numerous awards along the way.
Best Hawaiian Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Generation Hawai’i
Amy Hanaiali’i [Hanaiali’i Records]
* Grandmaster Slack Key Guitar
Ledward Ka’apana
[Rhythm And Roots Records]
* The Wild Hawaiian
Henry Kapono [Eclectic Records]
* Hawaiian Slack Key Kings
Various Artists
Chris Lau & Milton Lau, producers
[Rhythm And Roots Records]
* Legends Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
– Live From Maui
Various Artists
Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku, Jr., Paul
Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers
[Daniel Ho Creations]
On the Net:
www.grammys.com
