Native American visions.
Summary: 'Native American Visions, ' a concert of contemporary, traditional and jazz music featuring Jim Pepper, Arto Tuncboyachi and the a cappella group Pura Fe, was part the 1989 'Celebrate Brooklyn' festival, held at the Prospect Park Bandshell. The show was opened with traditional American Indian drumming and singing and also featured dancer, Raoul Trujillo's contemporary dance solo, 'The Shaman's Journey'. Saxophonist Jim Pepper (b. 1941 - d. 1992) a Creek and Kaw Indian was an innovative jazz musician who made his mark in the United States and in Europe. His unique style fused Native American Church music and powwow music with the experimental jazz. His best know work, 'Pepper's Pow Wow, ' was released in 1971. Pepper was a big influence on Muscogee poet Joy Harjo, and collaborated with the Native women's a cappella group, Ulali. He was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame posthumously after his tragic death following his battle with lymphoid cancer. Pepper is remembered for his contribution to both the Jazz scene and the Native music scene, and for expanding the perceptions and expectations of both genres. Raoul Trujillo (Apache/Ute) is an actor, dancer, and former soloist with the Nikolais Dance Theatre and the original choreographer and co-director for the American Indian Dance Theatre. He is the host for a series of dancing programs and received an Emmy Nomination for Best Performer as the Host/Narrator for the highly acclaimed New York Public Television series, 'Dancing.' Pura Fe, (Tuscarora), Soni Moreno (Apache/Mayan) and Jennifer Kreisberg (Tuscarora) are now known as and the sole members of the a cappella group Ulali
Summary: (formally Pura Fe). Ulali blends a variety of traditional and contemporary indigenous music of the Americas, incorporating political, social and personal issues that affect all of humanity. By fusing outside influences with Native words and music, Ulali challenges notions of how 'traditional' words and concepts are applicable in the modern world. The group can be heard on dozens of albums, documentaries and movies. The American Indian Community House (AICH) is an urban Indian center that services the needs of the Native people living in New York City and welcomes Native visitors to the city. AICH was founded in 1969 and has become a de facto 'neighborhood' serving as a meeting place for the diverse Native community of the New York City area. The Community House offers a variety of services ranging from substance abuse and HIV counseling, to career assistance. It is also home to the only Indian owned and operated art gallery in New York City. The AICH's Performing Arts Department has become an important resource for Native visual and performance artists. Through its programming, performance has become an important educational vehicle, both for the Native and non-Native NY community.
Credits: Celebrate Brooklyn/Brooklyn Information and Culture (BRIC), producer ; American Indian Community House, producer ; Jim Pepper, creator ; Raoul Trujillo, creator ; Pura Fe/Ulali, creator.
Credits: Jim Pepper, musician ; Arto Tuncboyachi, musician ; Raoul Trujillo, dancer ; Pura Fe/Ulali, a capella group.