PDX Jazz & Jim Pepper Native Arts Council Present Delbert Anderson Quartet
"By mining traditional Navajo “spinning songs” of love, healing, and courtship, and marrying them to jazz and funk lines, Anderson and his trio have taken a place at the forefront of a vibrant Native American jazz scene.” - New York Times
Delbert Anderson - Trumpet
Delbert Anderson, a Diné jazz trumpet artist, composer, and educator, stands at the forefront of a vibrant Native American jazz scene. His work, deeply rooted in his Diné heritage, seamlessly integrates Navajo "spinning songs" of love, healing, and courtship with jazz and funk, thus marking him as a community-minded Indigenous individualist. Through his Delbert Anderson Quartet, Anderson revives the improvised sounds of the Diné circle, blending them with jazz, funk, and hip-hop. His compositions are inspired by Navajo Nation landscapes, historical events, and the desire to preserve and educate about Diné history.
Anderson's notable projects include "The Long Walk: 1,674 Days," a poignant composition reflecting on a critical period in Navajo history, and "Manitou," which fuses ancient Native American melodies with jazz and funk. The Delbert Anderson Trio (DAT) showcases DAT jazz standards and original tunes, capturing the essence of his musical beginnings.
His commitment to community and education is evident through his "Build A Band" educational program, which teaches jazz improvisation to young students through a Diné and family curriculum, wellness programs, and community outreach initiatives aimed at evoking change for the well-being of all humans.
Anderson's achievements have garnered recognition, including multiple awards from Chamber Music America, the Cultural Capital Fellowship from the First Peoples Fund, and the Jazz Road Program at South Arts. His contributions to music and culture have been featured in prominent outlets like The New York Times, JazzTimes, Grammy.com, and NPR.
Robert Muller - Piano
Robert Muller is a talented pianist and keyboardist based in Santa Fe, NM, known for his versatility across genres from jazz to neo-soul and underground hip hop. Robert spent his formative years in Portland, Oregon, including mentorship under Blue Note jazz legend Andrew Hill. Post-college, Muller’s journey took him to New York City, performing in iconic venues like the Blue Note and the Knitting Factory. Now a fixture on the New Mexico music scene, Robert collaborates with notable artists such as Hillary Smith, Joy Harjo, Delbert Anderson, and Ryan Montaño. The New Mexico Music Awards lauded Muller’s Kodama Trio for their jazz achievements, showcasing his significant contribution to the genre.
Khalill Brown - Drums
Khalill Brown, with roots in the Blackfoot and Cherokee tribes, is a dynamic Funk/Fusion drummer based in Denver, known for his technical prowess and ability to weave rhythms from various cultures and styles. His musical journey began at the tender age of eight, opening for Ziggy Marley. He has shared stages with renowned acts like Steel Pulse, KRS-One, Snarky Puppy, and Stephen Marley despite overcoming a career-threatening wrist injury. Raised in a family steeped in Reggae and Rasta culture, and with extensive experience in drumline and backing bands across Hip-Hop, Jazz, Funk, and Country genres, Khalill’s style is a vibrant testament to his diverse upbringing. He aims to elevate the spirits of his audience, leaving them better than they arrived through music.
Evan Suiter - Bass
Evan Suiter’s musical voyage began at the young age of thirteen. Since then, he has developed into a seasoned bassist with a repertoire spanning jazz, country, Latin, funk, classical, and rock/pop genres. His formal education culminated in a B.A. in Music in 2008, followed by invaluable experiences at Victor Wooten's Center for Music and Nature. This background enabled him to share stages with luminaries like Tito Puente Jr., Bob Dorough, and The Drifters. Residing in Grand Junction, CO, Evan is an integral part of the music scene, currently performing with Chevel Shepherd and the acclaimed Delbert Anderson Quartet. His extensive touring and recording career highlights his versatile talent and commitment to his craft.
Acosia Red Elk (Pendleton, OR) is an enrolled member of the Umatilla Tribe from the northeastern Oregon territory and a 2024 Doris Duke Artist Award recipient. She is a 10-time World Champion Jingle Dancer and world-renowned performing artist. She is also an international yoga instructor, snowboarder, glass artist, cultural teacher and wellness advocate. She is known for public speaking and storytelling, tribal dance performance, indigenizing fitness, teaching yoga through a tribal lens and instructing powwow dance to tribal youth across Turtle Island. Acosia travels the world performing and sharing cultural knowledge, movement and meditation. She is passionate about using yoga and universal movement as a way to heal from historical and intergenerational trauma. She created Powwow/Yoga, a fusion practice that braids together tribal dancing and yoga for a well-rounded workout with an Indigenous approach to wellness. Acosia leads classes with a seventh generation approach, teaching that all actions should be taken with a sustainable mindset to protect what is sacred. She is an advocate for health and wellness and encourages all people on earth to recognize the Indigenous knowledge within them so that they can continue to build bridges and protect earth’s resources for future generations.
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