mirabal.com

2008 GRAMMY Winner

Whether as a composer, songwriter or musician, Robert has won many honors including two-time Native American Artist of the Year, three-time Songwriter of the Year, a 2006 GRAMMY Award for Sacred Ground, and his 2008 GRAMMY for Johnny Whitehorse Totemic Flute Chants, blending all of Robert's influences into a musical landscape that conjures up both the historic and contemporary West.

www.arvelbird.com
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Arvel Bird, a Native American flutist/violinist, is known around the world for his dramatic connection between Native American and Celtic traditions, stirring up scenes that echo from North American memory. Dubbed "Lord of the Strings" by fans and music critics, his music evokes the soul of North American history and is thoroughly entertaining, but also enlightening and humanizing. In a language and experience that captures the hearts of all audiences, he's emotional without being condescending, intellectual without being pretentious. One measure of any art form is when the medium is so mastered that it becomes transparent, allowing its message to be seen, heard and felt. Arvel Bird has achieved that mastery. 

Bird’s first private violin teacher in Salt Lake City saw his early potential. She brought the magic of music to life and taught him to play with passion. Bird attended Arizona State University on music scholarship, and later transferred to Champagne/Urbana, IL where he studied classical violin with renowned Hungarian violinist Paul Roland at the University of Illinois. 

As he worked to develop his own music style and a large and loyal following, Bird went wherever the music called him, which led him away from classical and towards Bluegrass, Appalachian, Folk and Celtic. Bird returned to Arizona in 1986 and was quickly hired by Glen Campbell to tour worldwide for six years. In 1991, he moved to Nashville and also toured with Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Louise Mandrell, Clay Walker, and others. 

His dream to record and perform using the violin as a lead instrument – completely contrary to the Nashville view of the fiddle as a backup or side-musician instrument - began in 2001. The result was a fusion of both his Scottish (Clan Kennedy) and Native American (Paiute) roots that are uniquely his own and intricately woven throughout his songs. Bird has released 16 CDs and two DVDs, earning him numerous music awards. 

In 2009, he took home top honors for Best Instrumental Album and Best Producer/ 
Engineer (with Grammy-winning producer Tom Wasinger and Nashville engineer Chas Williams) at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for his orchestra album Tribal Music Suite: Journey of a Paiute. 

In 2007, he was voted Artist of the Year by his fans and peers at the Native American Music Awards. Bird led with six nominations at the 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, and took home honors for Best Traditional Instrumental. 
During his years in the Midwest, Bird won the Indiana State Fiddle Contest four times while still perfecting a variety of musical styles. 

His continuously evolving music is delighting audiences worldwide. His latest album, From the Heart of a Paiute was released in March. 

Although based in Nashville, TN, Bird is permanently on the road, connecting with 
audiences the old-fashioned way...live. This is where Arvel's emotionally driven 
performances thrive, igniting concert venues, symphony halls, festivals and more, leaving his audiences inspired, transfixed and transformed.

www.autumnschild.com

Holland has a B.A. in Music from the University of Missouri where he studied with two members of the Saint Louis Symphony. Mark Holland is known for his unique soulful style of "playing from the heart". Holland has been a featured artist at a number of prestigious music festivals, including:

Holland has recorded some tracks for a future PBS documentary, "Redemption Road". He appeared as a guest on Capitol recording artist Chris Ledoux’s CD, "Horsepower". 

The music of Autumn’s Child has been played on NPR, PRI, JPR and Satellite Radio stations including Sirius/XM and Hearts of Space as well as various community and internetstations. Mark's Music has also been played on Jet Blue, Frontier and Air Tran airlines.

Holland has shared the stage with such diverse artists as R. Carlos Nakai, Mary Youngblood, Bill Miller, Oregon, The Rippingtons, Acoustic Alchemy, Jesse Cook, David Lanz, Tingstad & Rumbel, among others. 

Mark also tours regularly with Peter Mayer’s "Stars & Promises" concert series in addition to other performances and recordings including Peter’s Beatles Tribute project.

Most recently, Mark won the Indian Summer Festival in the Native Spirit category for 2010. He was also a finalist in the Native American Music Awards.

To find out more about Mark Holland, please visit http://www.autumnschild.com.

BOOKINGS: windnfire1@gmail.com

www.nscottrobinson.com

Scott has produced two CDs of his music including World View (1994) and Things That Happen Fast (2001) released and distributed internationally by United One Records/Qualiton Imports. He also has an instructional video published called Hand Drumming: Exercises for Unifying Technique for udu (1996) distributed by Wright Hand Drum. Fourteen scores of his world percussion compositions (seven of which are commissions) have been published by HoneyRock Publishing and New World View Music in 2003-2010. His music and interviews have been featured on the nationally syndicated Public Radio International show Echoes by John Diliberto, among others.

Scott's national performance experience includes appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Apollo Theater, St. Peter's Church, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the Knitting Factory all in New York as well as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, Severance Hall in Cleveland, Blues Alley in Baltimore, and elsewhere. He has also performed internationally in countries as diverse as West Africa, South Korea, Australia, India, Greece, Canada, Germany, Italy, and others.

Earlier this year, Scott's collaboration on the Wind & Fire CD with Mark Holland earned them an Indian Summer Music Award in Milwaukee.

www.jeffball.net 

Jeff Ball

cedarmesa.com

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.

www.dockgreensilverhawk.com

www.silverhawkflutegathering.com

Dock is of Creek and Cherokee blood and three months after leaving the hospital his wife Cindy took him to his first Indian powwow to learn more about his heritage. There the Lord led him to the Native American flute. A year later he began using the flute in the same hospital as a chaplain and uses the medicine of the flute and power of prayer in the Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Critical Care Unit at Tampa General Hospital. Today Silverhawk is considered a pioneer of using the flute in this manner and is requested at other hospitals as well as TGH.

His ministry has been featured on local Tampa Bay television NBC, CBS, FoxTV, PBS and national NBC NEWS. He has also been featured in the Tampa Tribune, St Pete Times, and local radio stations.

Silverhawk is the founder and spiritual leader of the American Indian Christian Circle of Thonotosassa, Fl., one of the first churches of it's kind in the country. He is a co-founder and Chairman of CONAM (Committee On Native American Ministries) of The United Methodist Conference of Florida. He is a co-founder of the annual CONAM Spiritual Gathering in Leesburg, Fl. Dock is also the founder, with Mike Knight's help, of Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering, an annual event.

Dock has the distinction of being the first place winner of the flute playing competition of the first Musical Echoes. The second year he was asked to be the chaplain and a judge at these competitions and still serves in this capacity now. He recently had the extreme honor of being asked to represent the American Indian people of the Tampa Bay area and lead off the grand opening ceremonies with prayer and flute songs for the Tampa Bay History Center.

More recently, Dock was voted "Artist of the Year" for 2009 by the Greater Brandon Arts Council, the first Native American and the first non-visual artist to win this award.

Silverhawk also plays and speaks at numerous events and churches as well as hospitals and federal prisons.

www.clintgoss.com

In 2003, Clint and his wife, Vera, began facilitating music workshops for Native American Flute players. Clint earned a certificate in music facilitation from the Music for People organization, founded by cellist David Darling, and now facilitates weekend and full-week workshops.

Clint performs on the Native American Flute, Indian Bansuri, African Kalimba, Slovakian Fujara and Koncovka, Indian Shruti box, Swiss Hang Drum, and a variety of world percussion instruments including African Djembe and Udu. He has performed and recorded on five continents, both solo and in a wide range of musical ensembles. His collaborations have included artists Randy Brody and the Global Rhythm Group, Catherine Marie Charlton and the CMC Trio, Jim Parker at the famous Nashville song venue The Bluebird, Ron Kravitz of Music in the Moment, David Darling, Peter Phippen, Ash Dargan, Zambian Reggae artist Mathew Tembo, Marrakesh Gnawa musician Youssef Mestauri, Choctaw flutist Don Zimbelman, and Adelante, with members J. Jody Janetta and Paul Mimlitsch.

jonnylipford.com

What does it mean to think "flute outside the box?" Jonny Lipford takes an age old instrument and uses it to create not only the traditional sounds, but also sounds that are new and not commonly linked to the Native American style flute - a voice all his own.  In every song you hear, you'll experience the unbridled passion of an individual who has experienced far more than many people his age.  Jonny's innate sense of composition and mature understanding of melody touches the soul. Jonny's hands play out melodies that are uniquely pure, invoking a variety of emotions that will warm your heart and leave you astonished at his musical technique. Whether it be a jazzy beat, spirited tune or a heartfelt ballad that you desire, you will surely be satisfied. 

Today Jonny Lipford, who started his musical journey at the young age of 13, continues to shares his music with audiences across the United States and broadcasts world wide.  Lipford has been featured on NativeRadio.com, the worlds largest collection of broadcasted Native music, as Spotlight Artist with the debut of his first release. As a composer of his own original music, Jonny has been recognized as a two time NAMA Nominee, ISMA and JPF Nominee and NEMA Winner. Along his journey, he has shared the stage with many notable musicians including Mary Youngblood, Mark Holland, Jeff Ball, Arvel Bird and Michael DeMaria.  Most will find it hard to believe that one so young could have mastered the flute so perfectly. With a love and respect for all types of music, Jonny awakens these genres, making him a true virtuoso in this industry.

Chante Ishta is a much sought after Mistress of Ceremony for Native American music events. Some of these events include:

Chante Ishta was a presenter at the 2005 and 2006 Native American Music Awards, and was a judge and presenter at the 2006 Indian Summer Music Awards.

In addition to what she is best known for, Chante Ishta is also a singer and a songwriter. Her current CD is entitled It All Begins With a Prayer.

www.painted-raven.com

Painted Raven is a contemporary Native American and World Music duo from Central Pennsylvania. Their first CD titled “Spirit Journey” features an exciting blend of Native American flute, acoustic guitar, keyboards, and various ethnic percussion instruments, presented in an eclectic variety of contemporary and World music styles.

David Rose, a lifelong musician of Mexican and Native American heritage, now resides in Elizabethtown, PA. David has recorded two solo CD's entitled, "Kokopelli Songs" and "From The Spirit." Most 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.”

As a solo performer, David has performed at weddings, art gallery openings, historical venues, libraries, public events, multi-cultural events, charity events, and educational functions. In 2008, he performed as part of the The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia, PA, hosted by Chuck van Zyl, host of Stars End radio program.

Annette Abbondanza, a native of central Pennsylvania, currently resides in Orlando, FL. Previously with the band The Legend of Stone Soup, Annette focused her musical talents toward furthering the efforts of various charitable organizations such as Domestic Violence Services, The Food Bank, American Cancer Research, AIDS awareness, and many other urgent causes.

Self-taught on guitar, keyboards, Native American flute and many other instruments, Annette has written, recorded and produced several of her own CDs, as well as many other recording projects for several other area artists and youth. She has performed at the Hershey Theater for the live broadcast of the public radio production “The Chords are Stacked” and performed at many regional arts and music festivals. Her music has been aired on many local and national radio and web broadcasts such as NPR's “Echoes” with John DiLiberto, The River WRVV 97.3 FM, and most recently Richmond, Virginia's "InterTribal" program on WRIR 97.3 lpfm.

David and Annette have just recently released their brand new Painted Raven CD titled “Mirage,” and accompanying music videos on YouTube featuring songs from the new CD.

Photo credit: Wildflowre Photography

www.markmcgourley.com

 www.markmcgourley.com

See Mark performing with Nakai in concert -

Mark Wagenschnur has been making music his whole life but his love affair with the Native American style flute and its magical music began in 2007. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Mark has resided in Palm Coast, Florida since 2004. He crafts all his flutes from local bamboo and embellishes them with gifts from Mother Earth and the sea.

Laura Covel Clark and John Ellis first met a couple years ago at a gathering of the Indian River Flute Circle in Cocoa, FL. Laura was one of the founders and the principal leader of the group at the time. John became a regular participant in the group, sharing his knowledge of flute construction to complement Laura’s flute playing guidance with people who found their way to the group’s monthly gatherings. John would sometimes bring a guitar or other instrument to play with the circle members, expanding their flute playing experience to include playing improvisations with accompaniment. During one of these gatherings, John & Laura began playing together and liked the way the instrumental duets sounded. John introduced a guitar background he had written to accompany a Native American Flute lead, and Laura immediately improvised the flute part, which they play today as their original composition called Remembrance. From that impromptu beginning was born Easy Feelin’. 

Easy Feelin’ blends the many moods of Laura’s Native American Flutes with a variety of John’s picked and strummed acoustic instruments to create a sound that is best described as easy listening. The music includes both imaginative versions of traditional popular songs, such as Summertime, Wayfaring Stranger, and House of the Rising Sun, with original compositions, like Autumn Snowfall, Remembrance, and Tumbleweeds.

Laura Covel Clark’s life-long love of music has provided opportunities to dabble with several instruments, but the pure and simple sounds of the Native American style flutes bring her an inner peace that no other instrument provides. She says that playing the flute has taught her that life – like music, does not have to be complicated to have great value and she enjoys playing for anyone who will listen, especially those who may not often get the chance to hear live music. Laura finds special fun when others join in by playing along on another instrument or one of the many rhythmic noise makers she collects to share with people who want to participate in the music making.