Music
is universal and transcends language barriers. From flute music, country
music to drumming, American Indian music comes in a variety of styles.
This point is illustrated well in "Native
Musicians in the Groove," a book published by Native Voices
as part of the Native Trailblazers Series by Vincent Schilling.
Schilling is a tribal member of the Saint
Regis Mohawk tribe. "Native Musicians in the Groove" is
written for young people from ages 9 - 16. Schilling has contributed
to several American Indian news publications in the United States,
including "Indian Country," "Native Times,"
"Tribal College Journal," and "Winds of Change."
"Native Musicians in the Groove"
features ten different American Indian musicians who perform various
music genres. It does not matter what type of music the featured
artists make or produce, their stories are similar in that they
are American Indians, who had to work hard to become the artists
they became.
One particular featured musician, Michael
Bucher, Cherokee, who grew up in a small apartment on the south
side of Chicago, uses his music to make a statement about the protection
of sacred sites.
"My life has been a bowl of cherries.
Like many Native people, I've struggled with the demons, be it alcohol,
depression, or whatever. Hopefully you will find that battle that
you have to fight, and if you do find it, fight it well, and stay
true to your intentions," Bucher offers as advice to young
people.
Bucher performed at inauguration festivities
in January 2009 for President Barack Obama.
Another featured American Indian musician
is Shane Yellowbird, Cree, who overcame a stuttering problem to
become an award-winning country singer.
"This business is so up and down.
I have probably thought about quitting more times than I have thought
about being nominated for an award or having a hit. But you've got
to keep going," states Yellowbird.
"Native Musicians in the Groove"
was a finalist in Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2010, Independent
Publisher's Moonbeam Awards 2010 and Multicultural Nonfiction Young
Adult, Bronze Award.
This book should be shared with Native
youth so they can discover the positive role American Indian models
who worked hard to make names for themselves in the music industry.
The book is a quick read, but will not
disappoint those interested in finding out more about Native musicians.
Here is a list of the American Indian
musicians featured in "Native Musicians in the Groove":
- Michael Bucher, Cherokee: music to
protect sacred sites
- Mary Youngblood, Seminole/Aleut: Native
American flutist
- Crystal Shawanda, Ojibwe: country music
singer
- Blackfire, Navajo: music that combines
punk rock and traditional
- Leela Gilday, Dene: singer with a message
of hope and empowerment
- Four Rivers Drum, variety of tribal
affiliations: Powwow drum group
- Jamie Coon, Creek/Seminole: singer
who combines jazz and pop rock
- Mato Nanji, Nakota Sioux: guitarist
and leader of the band Indigenous
- Shane Yellowbird, Cree: country music
singer
- Gabriel Ayala, Pascua Yaqui: classical
guitarist.
Native Musicians in the Groove
By Vincent Schilling
Native Voices | 116 pp | $9.95
ISBN: 9780977918348
|