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The Native Rhythms Festival organizing committee is currently in the process of completing the selection of performers for the 2012 festival. Our list of "headline" performers is nearly complete. As formal commitment is reached with our "featured" performer cast, their photos and biographical information will be posted here. Check back often. 

2013 Native Rhythms Headline Performers

Scott August

cedarmesa.com

Native American Music Award winner, and three time nominee, Scott August is a nationally acclaimed composer, producer, keyboardist and Native American flute player known for his forays into World Music. His music has been featured on the nationally syndicated radio shows “Hearts of Space” and “Echoes” as well as receiving airplay on the the digital networks XM, Sirius and DirecTV.

One of the nation’s most influential Native American flute players, August was a headline performer at the 2006, 2007, and 2011 Zion Canyon Flute Festival as well as the 2008 and 2009 Yosemite Flute Festival, 2011 Musical Echoes and 2012 Native Rhythms Festival. He is known for both his award winning music and knowledge of the Native American flute. In July 2005 he opened for Dr. Wayne Dyer at the International New Age Trade Show and he was a musical guest at the 2005 TED conference.

Echoes radio says "August has always been a cut or two above most native flute players... He layers guitars, keyboards and all kinds of percussion into his compositions, moving from world fusion to airy ambiences."

August has also composed music and sound design for hundreds of films, commercials and video projects, for clients such as NASA, The Discovery Channel, Lexus, Chevrolet, HBO, Nabisco, and Minolta. The Los Angeles Times has called his music "shimmering and luminous."

August began his musical training on cello and piano, and became interested in world music when he was given as African kalimba at age 10. He discovered Native American flutes in 1996 during a trip to the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico. Its haunting sound captivated him, and he soon began adding native flutes to his recordings. He founded Cedar Mesa Music in 2001.

 

Randy Granger

randygranger.net

YouTube.com/user/lonegranger

Sonicbids.com/RandyGranger 
(Electronic Press Release)

Reverbnation.com/randygranger

Email: hangguy@gmail.com

 

"Granger is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who 'feels' the music with a sincerity and honesty which can't be faked. Randy Granger's name deserves to be listed with other renowned Native American flute players, both Native and Anglo, because he obviously has both the chops and the artistry to warrant it." 
                                                -- Bill Binkleman long-time New Age music critic

Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Randy Granger blends elements of southwest music like Native American flutes with world percussion, distinctive vocals and other worldly Pan instruments like the Halo, the Hang and Moyo. NPR’s All Things Considered profiled Granger and the Hang in 2007 in a feature called “Like Water Over Bells.”

The unique sound and energy of Granger’s live performances has earned him headline status at many Native American, World and less conventional festivals around the U.S. His YouTube channel has 1.3 million views. He’s been nominated for and won many awards including the Indian Summer Music Awards, Native American Music Awards (NAMMY’S), New Mexico Music Industry Awards, US Songwriting Competition and many others. A composer and recording artist, his music is used by professional Dance companies, websites, commercials, film and documentaries. Granger’s music is heard on the Hearts of Space, SiriusMystic Soundscapes”, Pandora Radio, NativeRadio.com, Audiosyncrasy, World and Native American radio programs worldwide, podcasts and programs around the World. The 2008 release “A Place Called Peace” reached #12 on the New Age charts and won him a finalist nomination for the “Lifestyle Award” recognition award from New Age radio programmers and music directors. New Mexico Magazine wrote; “Richly layered with the sounds of a variety of flutes and percussion instruments, “A Place Called Peace” offers more depth than some flute solo recordings you might find.” A recent concert at White Sands National Monument in September 2012 attracted an audience of over 2,000, the largest in their Full-Moon concert series.

The New Mexico Music Commission produced a short film about Granger and his music that aired on KOAT-TV in Albuquerque and on all of the states PBS stations and continues to show regularly around the area. Their program, “Southwest Sounds” is uploaded to the music commission YouTube page. In 2012 PBS Station KRWG-TV chose him as their first subject to launch a new program called “Music Spotlight” featuring half-hour programs of selected area musicians and bands.

Granger’s 2010 release Pura Vida This is Pure Life fused his musical background as a percussionist, singer and guitarist with his more recent instrumentation offering a more fleshed-out sound and expanding his audience. His cover version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” blends Native American flute, the Halo, guitar and harmonized vocals is a top requested song on many Native American radio programs. Granger is a noted dynamic, engaging and energetic performer. As one Facebook fan noted after a performance at the Yosemite Music and Art Festival in 2011; “The energy coming off the stage….it was amazing. Like the walls were going to explode from it.”

Granger has performed at several National Monuments, such as White Sands National Monument, Casa Grande Ruins, and Zion Canyon and for the Centennial celebration at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in New Mexico. Other festivals he’s performed for include the Sundance Film Festival, International Native American and World Flute Festival, the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market, The Gathering of Nations, Yosemite World Music Event, New Mexico State Fair, World of Faeries Festival (Chicago), Indian Summer Festival in Milwaukee, Casa Grande American Indian Music Festival, Native Rhythms, Zion Canyon Native Flute Festival and hundreds of community concerts, Renaissance Faires, house concerts, small theaters and venues including the prestigious Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas.

What Granger has going for him as a live musician and performer is a sound so unique no solo act performing live shares currently. Granger’s music has been referred to as Southwest Contemporary and Southwest World which weaves Native flutes, percussion, storytelling, vocals in an engaging set paced for energy, meditative pieces with showcase numbers on the Double-Barrel flute, a wicked Hang/Halo solo. One Jazz ensemble director referred to Granger as the “Human Vocal Chord” for his versatility and accuracy.

Though Granger tours as a solo artist he layers and loops sounds akin to Emogen Heap but with a mystical southwest vibe. He often performs with other musicians on tour, which have included R. Carlos Nakai, Coyote Oldman, Skip Healy, Peter Phippen and many others in impromptu or rehearsed sessions. Granger’s ease with all styles or music and back ground make him a popular “sit in” guest on stages.

Granger is a Native of New Mexico whose researched DNA ancestry includes Mayan (Choltan) and Apache among other tribes. A life-long musician he’s toured as a solo artist but also with Jazz and Rock groups as a percussionist. He’s professionally performed lead in several operas and musicals, been a hired choral member, taught drums and guitar for 15 plus years, mastered Mariachi music, Cowboy music and worked as a Jazz solo artist for parties and receptions. He’s worked as a session musician, composer, arranger, songwriter and pick-up musician. A true journeyman.

In addition Granger has presented and facilitated workshops on the Pan instruments, playing music in Hospice and playing the Native American Flute at many festivals, including the International Native American and World Flute Association conferences.

In 2010-2011 Granger was forced to stop touring and promoting to care for his partner diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. The caregiving experience, helping someone pass on, hospice, grieving, settling an estate all have found their way into Granger’s newest project, Strong Medicine due for released spring 2012. He has volunteered his flute music in Hospice for many years and donates his time and talent to many fundraisers for charities, so this is a natural extension. In concert he tells the story of caregiving and helping a loved one die before he performs “Hallelujah” always an emotional highlight of his concerts. He is becoming an advocate for caregivers as well as pancreatic cancer awareness.

Ed WindDancer

www.edwinddancer.com

Ed WindDancer, dancer, flutist and educator, is a Nanticoke Indian who was born and raised on the eastern shore of Maryland in a family and culture that has a very close and unique relationship with the land. "We hunted, fished, and grew crops for our well being and, in growing up this way, learned how to live with our animal brothers and sisters and all the wonderful creatures belonging to our Mother Earth and Father Sky. Nanticoke Elders are beautiful people who taught me the precious things of our native culture."

While a member of the U.S. Military, Ed was president of an American Indian dance group that toured the Hawaiian Islands. He has successfully performed before audiences in Europe and across the United States where his gifts as a flutist, dancer, and educator continue to keep him in demand as a presenter at schools and at cultural and civic events. "I use my gifts from Creator to educate people and have dedicated my life to this path."

A highly regarded musician and head dancer at many Pow Wows, Ed has the honor of being adopted into a Lakota family, the Medicines of Wakpala, South Dakota.

Painted Raven

www.painted-raven.com

Drawing their inspiration from Mother Earth, Native culture, nature and wildlife, and combining the ancient Native American flute with today's modern instruments, is what creates the signature sound of Painted Raven, the Native American flute and guitar duo of Annette Abbondanza and David Rose.

David Rose, a Native American flute player and teacher who is of Zacatecas and Cherokee heritage, has performed at powwows, festivals, historical venues, multi-cultural events, charity events, and educational functions.  In 2008, he performed as part of The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia, PA, hosted by Chuck van Zyl, host of Stars End radio program.   Recently, his flute music was featured on internationally acclaimed Mars Lasar's -Tahoe Spirit. Music from this CD was used in the Jeff Corwin's MSNBC documentary, 100 Heartbeats.  David currently resides in Elizabethtown, PA.

Annette Abbondanza, being self taught on guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, and several other instruments, has performed at many festivals, concerts and benefits across the country, while devoting most of her musical career to furthering the efforts of various charitable organizations, including Native American, social, environmental, and wildlife causes.  Annette draws her songwriting inspiration from her love and respect for the earth and all living creatures.  She has written, recorded, and produced two of her own CDs as well as the current CDs released by Painted Raven and many other area artists and youth. She has shared the stage with many folk music legends, including Tom Paxton for the live broadcast of the public radio production “The Chords are Stacked” at the historic Hershey Theatre.  Annette is from Pennsylvania but currently resides in Florida.

Together as Painted Raven, the duo has been said to "set the stage ablaze with their intense chemistry, spirit, magnetism, and genuine passion for the music they are creating" while performing at various Native American flute festivals and events across the country.  Some of their performance highlights include the Zion Canyon Flute Festival in Utah, the Sunwatch Flute Festival in Ohio, as well as performing 3 consecutive years at the Native Rhythms Festival, and being the headline entertainment at the American Indian Association of  Florida's annual Orlando Powwow for the last two years. Their music has been aired on many local, national and international radio and web broadcasts including NPR's “Echoes” with John DiLiberto.

Painted Raven's highly acclaimed CDs, Spirit Journey and Mirage, recently nominated for the 2012 Indian Summer Music Awards, will be available for sale and autograph at the event.

Additional information about Painted Raven is available online at: www.painted-raven.com

Painted Raven also appears on: 

FaceBook ( http://www.facebook.com/PaintedRaven2 ) 

Twitter ( http://twitter.com/PaintedRaven2 ) 

YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com/user/PaintedRavenMusic )

 

2013 Native Rhythms Featured Performers

 

Mark McGourley


Photo Credit: Phil Penne


CD cover photo credit: HST/NASA/ESA

www.markmcgourley.com

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markmcgourley

Mark McGourley is a seasoned performer and multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of professional experience. He started his career performing bass guitar, keyboards and lead vocals in a variety of cover bands throughout the Tampa Bay area. For the past 15 years he has focused more on his acoustic guitar and vocal abilities and has become a solid solo act performing at the top venues along the Suncoast beaches. 

More than 20 years ago Mark's mother gifted him his first Native American flute and he has been playing and composing on it ever since. He has written several hundred tunes largely inspired by nature and many of these peaceful songs are based on melodies created with the NA flute. His original performances feature selections which are sure to soothe the soul from his debut CD titled "Universe Dance" as well as tunes from his upcoming second album focusing on NA flute, guitar and percussion.

In 2009, Mark performed as guitarist with world premier NA flutist R. Carlos Nakai and multi-Grammy nominee world percussionist Will Clipman. Over the past three years Mark has performed at several NA flute festivals and events in the U.S. and his performance of “Kokopelli's Dance” is featured on the “Live from the 2010 Native Rhythms Festival” compilation CD along with many of the world’s top NA flute artists. 

Mark has journeyed by motorhome several times all across the U.S. and has hiked very extensively throughout more than 30 of our country's most beautiful National Parks. He has accumulated video and photo imagery of all these majestic places and this year he completed production on a multi-media live show of his music synchronized with a video projection backdrop of his moving visual images of nature.

He was selected and performed at the 2012 INAFA Convention where he premiered his "Universe Dance Visual Concert" and officially released his debut CD. He also launched his first tour of the midwest this summer to promote this powerful live show. The studio version of his music synchronized to his nature video is expected to be available on DVD at NRF 2012 and his second CD "Celestial Spirits" is scheduled for release in 2013. 

Please register to attend Mark's workshop "Playing Guitar with NA Flute" on Sunday at 3 PM and stop to say hello at his vendor booth featuring CD's, DVD's and Wildflowre Creations jewelry handcrafted by Tammy Adams.

Mark holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and a M.A. in Education from the University of South Florida.

For more more information and audio-visual demos please visit Mark’s website at www.markmcgourley.com.

Gareth Laffely




www.garethmusic.com

 

A Revolutionary new music 
One part traditional Native flute –two parts Jethro Tull.

"Music was in his bones from the moment he could walk. Distinguished and polished, Gareth illustrates a deep soul in his music. Incorporating an ancient instrument (Native American Flute), with a mix of pop and light rock, Gareth’s style is one that has yet to be done."   

- April Stillwell, Gallatin News  

 

14 year old performer/Native American flute player, Gareth, has been writing songs since the age of 5. Music is Gareth’s passion – “I write songs from the heart and sing and play from my soul. I create music to help people - to have a positive impact in the listener's life.”  

Gareth was the runner up in the talent heavy flute players' competition at the 2012 Native Rhythms Festival.

Gareth’s newest CD release is called “The Journey”. It features original songs, and was produced by Grammy nominated producer Robert White Johnson who wrote “Where Does My Heart Beat Now” for Celine Dion.

Gareth’s music video, “Move On”, has received national attention – he wrote the song after a very close friend lost her battle with cancer. The video was made to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives to cancer and also for the families that are dealing with the grief of having to say good-bye. Gareth’s goal is to help raise awareness and get the word out that early diagnosis gives the greatest chance of survival.

Gareth strives to be a positive role model and encourage peoples of all ages to get involved with a cause and help make a difference.

Gareth Laffely
 Roaring Brook Music
 Gallatin, TN 37066 
Susanoliver963@comcast.net 
(615)944-8082

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