Buffalo Jump Records

Sullivan Squad - "I Will Always Be Here for You" - Live at Hole in the Rock

Sullivan Squad "I Will Always Be Here for You" From the album "Anangokaag - When the Stars are Out" Round Dance Songs At the conclusion of the recording sessions for their debut album, Sullivan Squad and the Buffalo Jump Records team selected sunset at Hole in the Rock for a photo shoot. Hole in the Rock is located in Papago Park, straddling the juncture of Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. In the midst of the photos shoot, Buffalo Jump and Sullivan Squad decided to provide an impromptu performance for those that had gathered in the natural beauty of Hole in the Rock to take in the sunset. The onlookers were treated to a Round Dance song while Sullivan Squad were treated to rapturous applause. About Sullivan Squad Founded in the heart of the beautiful woodlands of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe, The Sullivan Squad are comprised of Dr. Michael Sullivan and his family – wife Krysten, daughter Lexie and sons Niizhoo, Preston and Lenny. With Round Dance songs infused with Indigenous pride and the humor of love and life, their singing has captivated audiences from the US to Northern Ireland. As lead singer and composer for award-winning drum group Pipestone, Michael Sullivan’s unique compositions are respected across Native North America. Michael Sullivan received his Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. This accomplishment was done to help pass on the Ojibwe language to the younger generation of the LCO community, helping it to remain for years to come. The music, performances and lives of the Sullivan Squad reflect their commitment to the Ojibwe language, culture and family heritage. Order Sullivan Squad's album here: https://buffalojumprecords.com/sullivan-squad-anangokaag-when-the-stars-are-out/ More about the cultural significance and history of Hole in the Rock: "Ricardo Leonard, a Salt River Pima Maricopa leader, told TheArizona Republic in 2009 that his community considers the Hohokam Indians their ancestors. Traces of th

Keeper of the free... #buffalojumprecords #bransongorman #louiegonnie #indigenousmusic #nativeamericanmusic #haskahaska Russell Marsden A Train Entertainment Louie Gonnie

Buffalo Jump Records - Original Prayer Song Composed and Sung by Perry Cheevers Toppah (Kiowa/Navajo)

The last of the Buffalo Jump Records opening songs is a Prayer Song composed and performed by Perry Cheevers Toppah (Kiowa/Navajo) of Oklahoma. As of December 1st, 2020, we had only planned to share four songs as part of our social media launch. However, starting in the last November, the devastating effects of the pandemic began to circle closer to us, affecting even more and more artists and community members and our own staff and their families. During the last 6 weeks, the illness and passings of dear friends and family began to cascade heavily. Like many of us know too well, logging into Facebook or texting with connections has led to discovering that someone we love or know has become sick or has passed on. With that in mind, we requested our dear friend, acclaimed and respected singer Perry Cheevers Toppah to sing a song that would honor those who had passed away, those that were sick and all suffering from the pandemic. Cheevers immediately said he would compose one for the occasion, a deep honor for us. He explained that he had not been singing online during these months but felt this was the right occasion to do so. I have worked with Cheevers as a solo artist, as leader of the Thunder Hill drum group and as a member of the highly innovative unit of Smith, Toppah and Largo. He has fused his musical training in western choral music has been infused seamlessly into his deep knowledge of Southern Plains singing. He is a Grammy-nominee and has been inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. He has left and indelible mark on Indigenous music and is constantly striving to share the natural beauty of Native music with new audiences while maintaining his roots in his Kiowa and Navajo cultures. As Cheevers prepared this song, he and many others were dealt an additional stunning blow with the passing of Charles Neka Logan, a drum brother and member of Thunder Hill. Having known and worked with Neka myself, I was also stunned. I called Cheevers and sai

Buffalo Jump Records - Opening Song by Cloud Eagle (Jemez Pueblo/Zuni)

The fourth of our opening songs comes to use from the Jemez Pueblo in the United States Southwest. Cloud Eagle are members of the Seasonal Dance Group from the Pueblo of Jemez (Walatowa) in north central New Mexico. The group is under the leadership of Lawrence Toya who formed the group in 1990. Lawrence, was a member of a Jemez Pueblo dance group that was performing at the New Mexico State Fair in the late 1970’s when he met his wife Ruby N. Toya of Zuni Pueblo (Shiwi) in 1979. Lawrence and Ruby were married and have always maintained their devotion to their cultural heritage and a love of song and dance. They passed this love on to their sons Glendon and Delvin in order that they carry on the same cultural values. The group has performed throughout the United States and many gatherings. They also uphold the traditional responsibilities to their community by performing songs and dances in accord with the seasons throughout the year. Cloud Eagle have shared tremendous beauty and healing through their livestreams during the pandemic. Their family’s strength and their kinship with the other Indigenous communities have shone brightly through these challenging times and provided great comfort. One highlight of those broadcasts was their performance of a song by acclaimed Pow-Wow group Cree Confederation. The sounds and image of a group of Jemez Pueblo singers singing in the Plains Cree language moved many and was emblematic of the sisterhood and brotherhood that runs through the original inhabitants of North America. The singers featured here are Lawrence Toya, Glendon Toya, Delvin Toya and Riley Toya. Recorded on October 25, 2020 just west of Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico Thank you to Cloud Eagle and their team for making such a special video and being part of our launch. Buffalo Jump Records is honored. #cloudeagle #jemezseasonaldancegroup #jemezpueblo #zunipueblo #newmexico #indigenous #indigenousmusic #nativeamericanmusic #pueblo #buffalojumprecords

Buffalo Jump Records - Opening Song by Nitanis Kit Largo (Anishinawbe Kwe)

Our third opening song comes from the unparalleled voice and persona of Nitanis Kit Largo (Anishinawbe Kwe)from Atikameksheng Anishinawbek. Nitanis is one of the select pioneering female “back-up” Pow-Wow singers who have elevated the art of the female voice in support of the drum to new levels. With Grammy-nominated Bear Creek, Kit has moved countless people with her powerful and clear vocals. Kit has also collaborated with Grammy-nominees Alex E. Smith and Cheevers Toppah making beautiful, emotive choral renderings of music from the Pow-Wow and Round Dance Trails. Lastly, Nitanis has shared her own stunning compositions on her acclaimed solo album* Serenity. *In Kit’s own words, “Singing, music, Pow-Wows and dancing has always been a part of my life. My father is a musician, my mother is a jingle dress dancer, and my parents would take us to Pow-Wows growing up. It wasn’t until I was around 17 years old that I started back-up singing with the drum group Bear Creek and began to travel to Pow-Wows outside of Ontario and Canada. I carried teachings from my late Aunt Eleanor, parents, and late Kokum (grandmother) about my role as a Kwe (woman) with the drum and in the dance circle.” Rooted in devotion to her family, friends and her community of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (Whitefish Lake First Nation), Kit has so much more to share. Recorded on 11/4/20 in Weatherford, Texas. We are so honored that Nitanis would share this original composition of hers, represent Indigenous women everywhere and join us in our launch. . #nitaniskitlargo #kitlargo #AnishinawbeKwe #Indigenous #indigenousmusic #nativeamericanmusic #powwow #AtikamekshengAnishinawbek #bearcreek #buffalojumprecords

Opening Songs for Buffalo Jump Records - Julius Delaney (Kainai)

The second of the opening songs for Buffalo Jump Records is shared and performed by Julius Delaney (Kainai) of Stand Off, Alberta, Canada. Julius actually sings two songs here from some of the oldest songs amongst the Blood. Well-known around the Pow-Wow trail, Julius was a member of the highly influential Pow-Wow group, Blackfoot Crossing. This group and its members were instrumental in sharing the unique singing style of the Blackfoot Confederacy as well as sharing the Prairie Chicken Dance song with many on the Pow-Wow Trail. Julius is also a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy drum group that brought together the greatest singers and songs from the four tribes (Siksika, Kainai, Piikanim Blackfeet) of the Confederacy. His sharp leads were heard in both those great groups and I have seen them dazzle the younger generation of Pow-Wow singers. When I have been honored to work with him in person, he has always educated me in the historical nuances of his people and their song cycles. Recorded in the Old Agency community, Blood Reserve, Alberta, October 25, 2020. Thank you to Bailey M. Bastien for shooting the videos. We are so honored that Julius has shared these two songs and the story behind them with us as part of our opening. May they bring you healing and hope. #buffalojumprecords #juliusdelaney #kainai #bloodreserve #Indigenous #indigenousmusic #nativeamericanmusic #powwow #oldagency #blackfootconfederacy

Opening Song for Buffalo Jump Records - Sidrick Baker, Sr. (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara)

This, the first of five opening songs for Buffalo Jump Records, is shared and performed by Sidrick “Mister” Baker Sr. (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara) of North Dakota. The son of visionary songmaker and singer Bill Baker, Sidrick is upholding the lineage of his father, his own people and Pow-Wow in general. In particular, he continues the lineage of the drum group established by his father and uncles; the legendary Mandaree Singers. If a Pow-Wow group could ever be the compared to The Beatles and Led Zeppelin wrapped into one, that group would be Mandaree. Since Mandaree debuted, I doubt if there is a Pow-Wow singer who has not sung a Mandaree song from their lips or a dancer who has not danced to a song that has been shared with the world by Mandaree. “Mister”, as he affectionately and popularly known on the Pow-Wow Trail, has an encyclopedic knowledge of songs, deep humility and has raised and mentored his sons and nephews to be tremendous singers in their own right. Recorded in Phoenix, Arizona on September 29, 2020. We are so honored that he would share this story and song with us as part of our opening. May it bring you happiness. #buffalojumprecords #mandaree #sidrickbaker #MHANation #Indigenous #indigenousmusic #nativeamericanmusic #powwow Sidrick Baker

Buffalo Jump Records - Opening Blessing Given by Kenneth Cozad, Sr.

This is the opening blessing for Buffalo Jump Records given by Kenneth Cozad Sr.. (Kiowa/Comanche) of Oklahoma. This blessing was given on August 24, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona on the occasion of the first recording sessions for Buffalo Jump Records. These were the sessions for “Love, Life, Journey”, the new recording from Native American Flutist @Jonah Littlesunday (Diné). A treasured artist and friend of the Buffalo Jump team, Kenneth was requested by Buffalo Jump to give the blessing that would open our recording sessions and that would also open our online presence. Recorded on August 24, 2020, this was done after more than a full year gap in recording. Thus, there were very good feelings amongst all to be back in the studio together recording Indigenous music together as a team. Kenneth also joined Jonah in the studio to collaborate on a song, rooted in an original Southern Plains Pow-Wow song composed by Kenneth. This collaboration between Jonah’s Native American Flute and Kenneth’s voice would be the first new song recorded for Buffalo Jump Records. This song will be shared on Jonah’s album when it is released in early 2021. Buffalo Jump Records thanks Kenneth Cozad Sr., Jonah Littlesunday, Jacinta Tsosie, Pauline Littlesunday, Russell Marsden, @Kristen Butler, Dr. Michael Ames and Martha Butler. #buffalojumprecords #indigenousmusic #indigenous #nativeamericanmusic #nativeamerican