Alberta traditional drum group nominated for Grammy Award for third time
From CBC news online at
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2007/02/10/northerncree-grammys.html
Alberta native group attends Grammys - February 10, 2007 - CBC Arts online
Among the global stars of music such as Shakira and Beyoncé making their way to the Grammys in Los Angeles is a group of native singers from Alberta nominated for its third Grammy in five years.
The Northern Cree Singers have been nominated again in the traditional pow-wow music category.
The group, composed of teachers, construction workers and students, has been belting its haunting Cree lyrics and heavy drum beats for more than 20 years.
Steve Wood, the group's founder describes the experience as ...
"When I started this group, I would have never thought, I never thought [we'd be] going to the Grammy awards and to be recognized by the epitome of the industry, it is, like, wow."
Wood and his two brothers formed the group back in 1983 when they found themselves penniless at a sports meet in Idaho. Desperate to make money to get home, they borrowed a drum from a local museum and performed the songs their father had taught them.
The group has 27 albums under its belt, has gone through a few changes in members, and has performed around the world.
Northern Cree CDs are also sold at mainstream music stores. Wood points out their music is free of synthesizers — it's pure.
"There is no word for it … it's powerful, it's energetic … high tempo."
Band member Jonas Toototsis says it has been transformative in his life.
"Without it, there would be a part of me missing without that drum, because that drum does bring, I don't know what that feeling is, but you definitely feel it and whoever hears it will feel that music, too."
The group is planning to drive thousand of kilometres to the gala on Sunday night.
"It's like a dream come true," says singer Dezi Chacan. "I never thought of this coming along at all as a kid. I knew I loved to sing and travel around, but to be nominated for a Grammy, it's gonna be a wonderful experience."
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