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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

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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.
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| Randy Granger |
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randygranger.net
YouTube.com/user/lonegranger
Sonicbids.com/RandyGranger
(Electronic Press Release)
Reverbnation.com/randygranger
Email: hangguy@gmail.com


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"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, Sirius “Mystic 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.
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|
Ed
WindDancer |
|
www.edwinddancer.com
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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
)
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2013 Native Rhythms
Featured Performers
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| Mark
McGourley |

Photo Credit: Phil Penne

CD cover photo credit: HST/NASA/ESA
www.markmcgourley.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markmcgourley
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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.
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| 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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