Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

December 13, 2003 - Issue 102

Native Music on Tap for GRAMMY Awards

Three drum groups, a flute player and a well-known Indian record producer are among the dozens of recording artists up for one of the most prestigious awards in the music industry.

At a star-studded press conference in Beverly Hills, California, the picks for the 46th annual GRAMMY Awards were announced yesterday. "Embracing both high-profile and up and coming artists, the nominations reflect talent that was both commercially successful as well as critically acclaimed," said Neil Portnow, president of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

For the fourth year, the ceremony will hand out an award for Best Native American Music Album. The category was added in 2000 after heavy lobbying from Native music advocates and it has raised the profile of the genre.

This year's list of nominees marks a return to the traditional pow-wow sound that dominated the category in prior years. Three of the most popular drum groups in Indian Country are represented but there's also a Christian-influenced nominee and a nod to a prominent flute player.

Black Eagle (http://www.blackeagle1989.com), a drum group from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, has been chosen for Flying Free, its latest release on the SOAR label. The group was nominated for a GRAMMY in 2002 and won Best Pow-Wow Album at this year's Native American Music Awards.

The Black Lodge Singers, based in Washington, are up for Brotherhood, also on the SOAR label. The drum group, headed by Kenny Scabby Robe and composed largely of his 12 sons, has become one of the most famous in North America. The nomination marks the second time the family has been tapped for the GRAMMYs.

Another repeat nominee is the Northern Cree Singers, from Alberta, Canada. Still Rezin' from the Canyon Records label is the 12-member drum group's latest release.

Tom Bee, a producer who owns the SOAR label (http://www.soundofamerica.com), has been nominated for his own album. Reveal His Glory reflects Bee's Christian beliefs and includes several worship and praise songs.

Rounding out the list is R. Carlos Nakai, the Navajo-Ute flutist whose new age-style music has inspired many around the world. Sanctuary, from Canyon Records, is described as "serene, meditative [and] soothing" by Amazon.Com.

Bee's label also garnered a nomination in the Best Rock Gospel Album. Red Letterz is a solo effort by Fresh I.E., a rap artist from Canada. Like Bee's album, it is Christian-based.

The GRAMMY ceremony will be held n Sunday, February 8, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. CBS will broadcast the show from 8-11:30 p.m.

A full list of the 46th annual GRAMMY nominees can be found at: http://www.grammy.com/awards/grammy/46noms.aspx.

Relevant Links: GRAMMYs - http://www.grammy.com

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