The story of contemporary Native American music goes back to 1951 and the founding of Canyon Records in Phoenix, Arizona. In the almost 60 years since then, traditional forms have been revived, renewed and celebrated, and new styles have emerged from the creative energy of native and western musicians.
From his first Canyon album in 1983, Navajo musician R. CARLOS NAKAI has worked tirelessly to re-establish the Native American cedar flute as an instrument for healing and meditation, extending it far beyond its origins into folk, jazz, country, classical, new age and ambient music. In these new ambient soundscapes, we enter a world of reverence, mystery and ceremony, haunted by the voices of ancient spirits.
On this transmission of Hearts of Space, we focus on the new ambient dimensions in Native American music...on a journey called TOUCHING THE SKY. Music is by JOHNNY WHITEHORSE, DEBORAH MARTIN & ERIK WOLLO, COYOTE OLDMAN, and SCOTT AUGUST.
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Why mention Nakai and Canyon so prominently in the description when neither are featured in the program? As far as I can tell, only one of these artists is of Native American heritage. Within this context, the term "Native American Music" seems a bit of a misnomer.
Posted by: Andrew | 22 November 2009 at 06:49 AM