JULIA KEEFE INDIGENOUS BIG BAND

INCARNADINE

Independent Label

One of the unique things about the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band is that it is made up, almost exclusively, of Native and Indigenous people.  They are a sixteen-piece ensemble. On this debut album they present original compositions rooted in tribal histories and native storytelling.

Each artist also carries an indigenous tribal reference printed next to their American names. Julia Keefe (of Nez Perce tribe) is the band leader and vocalist. Her tribal nation has more than 3,500 citizens. Delbert Anderson (of Diné Tribe, also known as Navajo) is the bassist.  Drummer, Edward Littlefield (is Tlingit, Alaskan Natives and First Nations in Canada). Pianist, Marc Cary (of the Wampanoag Tribe) completes the rhythm section. Wampanoag means “People of the First Light” and their territory includes Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island.

Julia Keefe’s Indigenous Big Band album opens with “Water” a commodity that humankind cannot live without, yet we recklessly take for granted. This album features new music made famous by indigenous jazz musicians including Mildred Bailey (Coeur d’Alene) and Jim Pepper (Kaw/Mvskoke), as well as compositions written by bandmembers. Historic singer, Mildred Bailey wrote the hit swing tune “Lover Come Back to Me.”  Julia performed a tribute to Mildred Bailey in 2024 and released an album titled, “The Mildred Bailey project.”

It’s the vocals of Julia Keefe on Track #2, along with the big band arrangement, that sweeps me into a composition called “Sonnet.”  The haunting melody snatches my attention.  The band repeats the melody after her lyrics have ended. It’s even more beautiful.

Keefe is based in New York City but was born in Kamiah Idaho on the Nez Perce reservation.  She grew up in Spokane, Washington, where she was introduced to jazz.  Her vocal inspirations were Billie Holiday and Mildred Bailey.  She earned her bachelor’s in music from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music with a master’s in music from the Manhattan School of Music.

Julia Keefe performs one song in an indigenous language.  It’s titled “Wawasint8da,” and was composed by the band member, Mali Obomsawin.

This historic album proudly and generously shares Native American culture, traditions and musical brilliance with the listener. Combined with the African American creation of jazz, The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band continues their own unique American legacy from a musical perspective. They even include a taste of hip hop culture with rapper, Asa Peters, on “Family Groove.”

JULIA KEEFE BAND: Julia Keefe, vocals/bandleader; Marc Cary, piano; Mali Obomsawin, bass; Edward Littlefield, drums; TRUMPETS: Kali Rodriguez-Pena, Delbert Anderson, Chuck Copenace, Giovanni Martinez & Quinn Carson (trumpet & trombone). Wade Demmert, bass trombone; Christopher Gonzales, trombone; Rogan Tinsley & Asa Peters, alto saxophone; Adam Lamoureux & Michael Gutierre, tenor saxophone; Orion White, baritone sax; GUESTS: Magdalena Abrego, guitar; Mali Obomsawin, Asa Peters & Rogan Kahale, vocals.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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