For my ongoing book project I’m working with trumpeter Delbert Anderson (Diné), whose music I’ve been listening to — and teaching — for at least the last ten years. We finally sat down for an interview recently and he shared a list of Native jazz artists he thought I should check out. One of them, vocalist Julia Keefe (Nez Perce), is an alumna of the Frost School of Music, where I now teach, and took time last week to record an interview for the book as well.

Both these musicians are at the forefront of advocacy work related to the history and present of Native jazz music. In addition to the groundbreaking Indigenous Big Band project that Keefe is spearheading, she has a new album of Mildred Bailey’s music coming out in early December. Keefe’s Mildred Bailey project is both music and cultural history: honoring and advocating for yet another highly influential female musician overlooked by “jazz history” who popularized many jazz standards with a vocal approach that inspired Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, and many others.

Summarizing Delbert’s activities would take a while. Busy with commissions, residencies, research, small and large group performances, and advocacy work, Anderson epitomizes the hustle of a hungry jazz musician. I found his groundbreaking album Manitou — my introduction to contemporary Native jazz — about 10 years ago; and he definitely hasn’t stopped working since then. On November 1st, he began his latest composition, The Long Walk, a collaborative performance project that “1,674-day composition creating awareness and honoring the Navajo people who suffered and endured” their forced relocation to the Bosque Redondo (in Fort Sumner, New Mexico). Musicians interested in participating should look for more information here.

As Native American Heritage Month starts, I reached out to Anderson and Keefe to share some records by Native artists that they’d recommend — and I added a few that I’ve been listening to as I learn more. (I’ve also included links to artist websites and for buying the albums wherever possible.) There are many more albums — including by members of the Indigenous Big Band — so feel free to add your favorites in the comments below. And be sure to support these artists by buying their music, tickets to their performances, and their merchandise. My mug should be in today’s mail!

Julia’s list: A mini history lesson in Native jazz artists, including the well-known Jim Pepper, vocalists Mildred Bailey and Keely Smith, and trombonist Russell Moore, who might be most famous for his side work with Louis Armstrong.

1. Mildred Bailey (Coeur d’Alene), At Sundown. Mildred Bailey Sings (Halo Records, 1955)
2. Ed Littlefield (Lingít), Walking Between Worlds (Pony Boy Records, 2011)
3. Russell “Big Chief” Moore (Pima), Pow Wow Jazz Band (Jazz Art, 1973)
4. Jim Pepper (Muscogee/Kaw), Dakota Song (Enja Records, 1987)
5. Keely Smith (Cherokee), I Wish You Love (Capitol Records, 1957)

Delbert’s list: A selection of contemporary Native artists, influenced by jazz but playing in a wider range of genres, including pop and rock. All of these were new to me, which is just one of the reasons I love working with Delbert: he’s already ready with more recommendations.

1. Stephen Qacung Blanchett (Yup’ik), Miu (self-release, 2021)
2. Connor Chee (Navajo), The Navajo Piano Revisited (self-release, 2021)
3. Djarin (Diné), Lovelust (self-release, 2022)
4. Chantil Dukart (Tsimshian and Sugpiaq), In the Beginning EP (self-release, 2014)
5. Rhonda Head (Opaskwayak Cree), Wanisika (self-release, 2023)

Mark’s list: There’s lots to say about each of these albums, but we’re sticking to lists this time. I’m including another recent project by Anderson, as well as one by another artist, bassist Mali Obomsawin, whom he recommended. A few of these albums also celebrate Afro-Indigenous jazz collaboration, part of a longer cultural history of solidarity on the continent…and around the world. (For those wanting to read up on the topic, I’m deep into Tiffany Lethabo-King’s The Black Shoals right now.)

1. Delbert Anderson (Diné) and D’DAT, Kindred Spirits: A Navajo-South African Story (self-release, 2023).
2. Marc Cary (Wampanoag) Trio, Four Directions (Motema Records, 2013).
3. Jack DeJohnette (Seminole and Crow), Music for the Fifth World (Manhattan Records, 1992).
4. Mali Obomsawin (Abenaki Odanak), Sweet Tooth (Out of Your Head Records, 2022).
5. Don Pullen (unknown, possibly Cherokee), Sacred Common Ground (Blue Note Records, 1995).