Native Rhythms Festival

Backstage Pass

We are proud to be able to offer our guests free concerts with a program of world-class performers. The performers listed here are those currently under contract. Check our schedule page for the days and times of each performance.

Index of 2023 Native Rhythms Performers
(listed alphabetically)

Lowery Begay (2023 Co-Master of Ceremonies)

Timothy J.P. Gomez

Randy Granger (2023 Co-Master of Ceremonies)

Gareth Laffely

Jonny Lipford

Shelley Morningsong & Fabian Fontenelle

Painted Raven

Jim Sawgrass

Dock Green Silverhawk

Billy Whitefox

Ed WindDancer

Rona Yellow Robe

Joe Loftin (2022 Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players' Competition Winner)

Native American Cultural Encounter

CreeAtive Native

2023 Native Rhythms Headline Performers

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, 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 was released in the 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.

Shelley Morningsong & Fabian Fontenelle

shelleymorningsong.com/

2019 and 2016 Native American Music Awards "Artist of the Year"! Shelley also won a 2019 Native American Music Award for the Best Blues Recording. As a Grammy Member, ASCAP Member, Shelley Morningsong (N. Cheyenne) has recorded five sensational Native American, Contemporary albums and has emerged as one of New Mexico’s finest Native performers. Morningsong has received five Native American music awards, among other awards and accolades, including two Native American Music Awards last year and the “Record of the Year” for 2011 (Full Circle).

Shelley's husband and musical partner Fabian Fontenelle (Zuni/Omaha) adds a breathtaking and beautiful element to their performance with his traditional northern plains style dancing, storytelling and drumming. Fabian is an original member of the American Indian Dance Theater. Both Shelley and Fabian were touring members of the famous Robert Mirabal's Musical “Music from a Painted Cave” feature on PBS Special Performance's. Shelley and Fabian have been featured in several magazine's such as Cowboys & Indians, Native Peoples and New Mexico Magazine.

Rona Yellow Robe

ronayellowrobe.net
facebook.com/CreeNatively

2014 and 2016 Native American Music Awards (NAMA) Flutist of the Year, Rona Yellow Robe was born and raised in Havre, Montana and is an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, Montana.

Rona is known for her powerful vocal ability, Native American flute style, and heart-filled presence. She picked up her first flute in 2002 and has been on a Musical and Spiritual journey ever since. It is by playing the Native American flute, which she refers to as her "other voice,” that she has become comfortable sharing with all audiences many aspects of her life that are personal and meaningful to her.

Rona Yellow Robe and Bruce Witham have been creating music together since May, 2008. They have recorded four albums, “Voice of the Trees” (2009), “The Gathering” (2012), a Christmas album entitled “Lighting Our Way” (2013), and most recently, their latest album, "Shoot For The Moon" (2016).

In 2010, Rona and Bruce received the Native American Music Awards nomination as Songwriters of the Year for their song, “Voice of the Trees.” Rona and Bruce's album, "The Gathering" was Nominated for Record of the Year by the 2014 NAMA. Also, Rona was nominated by the 2016 Native American Music Awards for Female Vocalist of The year for their Christmas CD, "Lighting Our Way", and then taking home, once again, Flutist of the Year for their latest CD "Shoot For The Moon".

Rona Yellow Robe and Bruce Witham have performed concerts on stages nationwide; Utah, Wisconsin, California, Florida, Oregon, and Washington, to name a few, and have recently gone International.

Over the past six years they have played hundreds of events including festivals, art shows, schools, weddings, memorial services, powwows, and holiday celebrations. They have honored military veterans and their families with their music, and have worked in close partnership with Multicare Hospice in Washington State for the past seven years. They have begun expanding and honing their skills as music teachers and workshop facilitators.

We have always said, "We will perform for 5 or 500." We have done both. It's all about blessing people's lives with the music.

Rona's and Bruce's Music is created with the Intention to inspire, uplift, and fill the listener with peace, hope, happiness, and visions of joy, love, and prosperity.

Dock Green Silverhawk

www.silverhawkflutegathering.com
Dock Green Silverhawk's life with the flute began many years ago as he was being transported to life saving open-heart surgery and went into cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death. While in this state he went into the "white light", and had a near-death experience and vision. His life was forever changed.
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.

Dock's life wish is to continue to be used by Creator and His Son to bring peace, comfort, and healing to those in great need through the power of prayer and medicine of the flute. "I pray He continues opening doors for me to serve Him, and uses me until He calls me home".

Lowery Begay

facebook.com/nationofchange

Lowery Begay is from the Dine’ (Navajo) Nations and was raised on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and Arizona. Lowery grew up learning the traditional Navajo ways from his grandparents. He has been dancing as a hoop dancer and Northern Style Fancy dancer for most of his life, and has been dancing, storytelling and playing the Native Flute professionally for over 15 years.

Lowery competed at the World Hoop Dance contest every year at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona and holds the title of 2004 Schemitzun Hoop Dance Champion. In 2005, Lowery was part of a major production as a hoop dancer and fancy dancer called “Spirit: The Seventh Fire.” He has also performed with Brule, Lakota Dance theatre, Native pride dancers and Spirit of the Mist in Niagra Falls.

Lowery has had the opportunity to share his gift around the world traveling and performing in Japan, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Belgium, Germany, England, and at the Grand Opening of the Native American Museum in Washington, D.C.

Jonny Lipford

www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/

Jonny Lipford is an award-winning, celebrated musician and educator who has captivated audiences and students worldwide with his mastery of the Native American flute and an array of world flutes. With over two decades of experience, Jonny's musical journey is marked by significant milestones, including creating over 200 original songs, releasing 18 commercial albums, and live performances for crowds as large as 14,000 people. His work has been featured on SiriusXM, JetBlue, United Airlines and CBS.
His extraordinary talent and commitment to his craft have earned him a reputation as a leading authority in the music industry. Yet, it's not just his artistry that sets Jonny apart, but his dedication to sharing his knowledge with others.
As a sought-after instructor, Jonny guides thousands of students annually through diverse courses, workshops, and lessons. His passion for teaching led to the development of Horizons Flute School, an innovative online learning platform. The school offers an exceptional membership program that provides access to a wealth of resources, catering to the needs of both beginner and advanced flute players.
In addition to his musical and educational endeavors, Jonny expanded his reach in mid-2023 by acquiring the respected Oregon Flute Store and rebranding it as the Horizons Flute Store. This venture underscores Jonny's ongoing commitment to the flute community, providing top-tier instruments and accessories to enthusiasts around the globe.
Through his artistry, instruction, and entrepreneurship, Jonny Lipford continually cultivates authentic creativity. He inspires a new generation of flute players, igniting a passion for music transcending traditional boundaries.

Gareth Laffely

GarethMusic.com

24 year old Native American composer/musician, Gareth Laffely is of Mi'kmaq/Cree descent. Gareth received the Rising Star Award from the Native American Music Awards at 16 years old, and is the youngest performer to reach #2 on the Billboard New Age Music Top 100 charts for his 3rd CD, Sky Before a Storm, which also reached #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Gareth's music is featured on NPR's nationally acclaimed Hearts of Space, Music Choice Network's Soundscapes channel, GAC-Great American Country Network, and radio stations worldwide. Gareth has also garnered multiple awards for his documentary film scores. His newest CD project, "Voices of the Guardians", features Oscar award winning Native American actor Wes Studi, and Emmy Award winning producer Lance Bendiksen and was recorded with George Lucas's Sky Walker Symphony.

Gareth has donated much of his time to Hospice, playing for terminally ill patients and their families and also Gareth donates a portion of his music proceeds to St. Jude Children's Hospital, and the American Indian College Fund to help other Native American youths realize their dreams of higher education.

Follow Gareth on FB, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify and Pandora.

Timothy J.P. Gomez

timothyjpgomez.com

Award-winning musician Timothy J.P. Gomez is a composer, performer, and educator of the Native American Style Flute. Timothy integrates world music with the depth and emotional impact of the Romantic Era to reflect his awe of nature and aptitude for immense empathy. Human connection and kinship with the Earth are reoccurring themes in his music, and his heartfelt melodies capture the imagination and transport the listener to another world. Timothy’s technical abilities impart a fluidity and intricacy to his music and spur his creativity to produce a playing style recognizable as distinctly his own.

Timothy grew up in the desert landscape on the outskirts of El Paso, TX, where he fell in love with the Native Flute and the dreamlike terrain beyond his door. After playing privately for friends and family for many years, Timothy was finally convinced to share his gift with the world. In 2014, Timothy released his debut album, The Awakening, an acoustic Native Style Flute album focused on his wanderings through nature and self-reflection on life’s trials and triumphs. His album received 2 nominations at the Indian Summer Music Awards, with his song “Sacred Saguaro” securing the 2015 win in its category.

Currently, Timothy performs at festivals and concerts throughout the USA. He also offers one-on-one private online sessions assisting others in expanding their skill level on the Native American Style Flute. During events, Timothy holds workshops and offers private lessons, where he has been privileged to assist many flute players on their musical pursuits. He continues his mission to inspire conservation and a love of adventure through his musical compositions.

Painted Raven

www.painted-raven.com

Drawing inspiration from Mother Earth, Native culture, nature and wildlife, and combining the ancient Native American flute with today's modern instruments and musical styles, is what creates the signature sound of Painted Raven, the Native American flute and World Music project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Annette Abbondanza, joined by flutist and percussionist, Holly Harris.
Annette Abbondanza (Painted Raven), of Cherokee and Sioux ancestry, is self-taught on guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, Native American flute, 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 twelve CDs released by Painted Raven, and many other releases by regional 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’s music has received awards and multiple nominations, including Meet The Composer Award, One World Music Awards, ISMA- Indian Summer Music Awards, and Nammy- Native American Music Awards, as well as being aired on many local, national, and international radio and web broadcasts including NPR's “Echoes” with John DiLiberto.
Holly Harris (Red Feather), a Native Floridian of Cherokee heritage, is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in the Native American flute, hand drums, percussion and other instruments. She has performed at various flute festivals, including Green Frog Moon Festival, Musical Echoes, SunWatch Flute Festival, RNAFF, Sarasota Native American Festival, Ohio Valley Indigenous Music Festival, Palo Pinto Native Flute Festival, and The Native Rhythms Festival. Historically accompanying other musicians, her individual talent for playing the Native American flute gained attention after being awarded 1st place in the 2013 Native Rhythms Festival Flute Players Competition. This accomplishment opened more doors for her musically, including becoming a featured performer at the 2014 Native Rhythms Festival, as well as being invited to join Painted Raven. She has contributed to the 6 most recently released Painted Raven CD’s, and as a member of Painted Raven, has been nominated for several Native American Music Awards and has won several Indian Summer Music Awards.
Together as the continually evolving musical soundscape known as Painted Raven, Annette and Holly grace the stage as one of the Native American Flute world’s very few female ensembles and bring with it a unique warmth, combined with an energy and diversity that showcases the amazing musical versatility of the Native American Flute.
Painted Raven is anticipating the release of their twelfth CD this November at the Native Rhythms Festival in Melbourne, FL. Their brand new CD titled Mandala, soars to yet another incredible level with a blend of the beautiful sounds of the Native American flute, combined with other World flutes and ethnic instruments and drumming. Mandala and other Painted Raven’s CDs 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:
YouTube ( www.youtube.com/user/PaintedRavenMusic )
FaceBook ( www.facebook.com/PaintedRaven2 )
Twitter ( twitter.com/PaintedRaven2 )

Billy Whitefox

www.billywhitefox.com

Billy Whitefox Stall is a Native American of the Southeastern Muskogee Creeks. As a tribal dancer in men's traditional dance Billy won many awards. He then began teaching tribal dance to youth and in 1985, was gifted his first flute by a student's father. It was a cedar flute given to him by Quana Parker, Jr., and of course this changed his life. With his interest now focused on tribal flute music, he sought knowledge from his Uncle Clyde concerning rivercane flutes.

He played his Native American Flute Music and made his Old-Style Rivercane Flutes for the next few years, until in 1998 he released his first professional CD, "Sacred Journey".

Billy was made Vice-Chief of the Red Heart Clan of Alabama in 2003, a significant event and great honor in his life. In 2009, Billy was asked to join the Southeastern Elders Council and was re-appointed by Governor Crist to his 3rd consecutive term as a Florida State Commissioner on Human Relations.

In 2005 Billy was awarded Flutist of the Year, winning that year's Native American Music Award or NAMA with the release of his second disk, entitled "When the Wind Sings".

Billy shares his Creek ancestry through international recordings of Native American flute music and storytelling. He enjoys touring the country sharing his music and stories of his heritage. Billy Whitefox is also a national champion Flute Maker, well known for his old-style techniques in making rivercane flutes.

Jim Sawgrass
(East Meets West)

JimSawgrass.com

Jim Sawgrass is a native Floridian of Muscogee Creek (Mvskoke) descent and living historian of the southeastern tribes of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. He has been sharing his knowledge of the Southeastern Native American tribes for over 25 years. He served on the Florida Indian Council from 1991-1995. Sawgrass has been sharing his knowledge of the Southeastern Native American tribes for over 30 years.

As a child, he was always interested in history, building forts, and exploring the woods and nearby swamps. The outdoors was always, and continues to be a big part of his life. He became more involved with his Native American heritage by attending Pow Wows, Native festivals, and historical reenactments. He learned more about Native culture and history from many elders, outdoors-men, and reenactors he was surrounded by. He is also an Eagle Scout and applies his scouting skills to this day.

In 1988, Sawgrass began presenting programs professionally on Native American history and started the "Deep Forest Historical Native American Programs". Since then, he has performed at places like schools, Pow Wows, state and national parks, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivals and many other places around the U.S. He also been featured on many television networks such as History Channel, Travel Channel and Discovery Channel.

Ed WindDancer

Ed is very proud to be a Veteran serving with the 25th Infantry Division. In 1975, while stationed in Hawaii, he became president of a Native American Dance Troupe and was instrumental in starting some of the very first Pow Wows in Hawaii.
Ed is a respected educator who is proud of his Nanticoke heritage. A gifted player of the Native American flute, and also a respected traditional dancer, Ed has performed for audiences throughout the United States and Europe, and has dedicated his life to preserving his culture through the art of music, dance and education. He has served as Head Man and kids day educator at many powwows throughout the East Coast.
In Ed’s unique and one of a kind performance, you will experience the history and rich sounds of the American Indian flute, and receive a rare opportunity to experience authentic traditional American Indian dance. He teaches about his heritage, culture, and explains in detail, his traditional attire along with its history and significance. He has captivated thousands with his 2 popular albums: Breath of My Soul, and Dragonfly Medicine.
He performed many, many years with his grandmother, Kay Taylor. She always ended their performance by saying: “Walk softly upon this grandmother…live each day as if it were your last…and above all, enjoy the journey, the destination is the same. Aho”

2022 Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players' Competition Winner

Joe Loftin

Joe Loftin earned his place on the 2023 program by virtue of winning the 2022 Native Rhythms Festival Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players’ Competition. And he might not have... Joe tells that the main reason he entered was that he and a friend thought it would be fun to both enter and compete against each other. At the last minute the friend backed out, but Joe was already entered and decided to continue. The result was a first place finish and the program slot this year! Congratulations, Joe!

Joe has been a musician for practically his whole life. In his younger days, his instrument was the saxophone, which he played "semi- professionally" for about 10 years. He defines his semi-professional status as being paid to play, but not enough to support a family. When he got married and started having children, he faced the choice between music and making a living.

Then, one day in 2008 while at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah, OK, he heard some beautiful, exotic, and haunting music coming over the PA system and realized how much he missed playing music. He says he thought, "I'm not sure what that instrument is, but wouldn't it be cool to be able to play something like that." That sparked his interest and his wife gave his his first flute for Christmas, which led to two more flutes within the next six months.

This took Joe down a new path. He realized that he was going to want more and more flutes, and they tended to be kind of expensive. The solution was to learn how to make flutes himself and that turned into a business. So, when he's not on stage, look for his booth over in the Vendor Village where he's set up as Joe Loftin Flutes.

"What a long strange trip it's been from there. I think the most rewarding part of it is all the wonderful people I've met and become friends with along the way. It's not an overstatement to say that the flute transformed my life."

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