One of the world’s only Indigenous big bands have released their debut album. The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band, led by celebrated vocalist Julia Keefe, is one of the only jazz big bands exclusively comprised on Indigenous and Native musicians from across North America.
Their album, Incarnadine, brings together a 16-piece ensemble to honour the Indigenous legacy and future in jazz. The album features music by legendary Indigenous jazz artists such as Mildred Bailey and Jim Pepper and new compositions created by the members of the band.
“Incarnadine is musical commentary on our Indigeneity and resilience against the generational impacts of colonial powers upon the indigenous peoples of the Americas,” Keefe says. “Incarnadine offers musical history, protest, and celebration all wrapped up in one album.”
Keefe leads the band which features Indigenous musicians such as pianist Marc Cary, trumpeter Delbert Anderson, bassist Mali Obomsawin , trombonist Quinn Carson, drummer Edward Littlefield and many more. “We are not culturally monolithic,” said Keefe. “We each bring with us the cultural practices of our ancestors and many of our compositions are derived from traditional melodies and stories. With Incarnadine, we dive deeper into improvisatory music from the Indigenous perspective.”
