Arlie Neskahi & Eagle’s Jump
Eagle’s Jump’s music features the Native vocal majestics and flute playing of Arlie Neskahi–whose style has been honed to perfection with over 50 years of performing and studying traditional Native music. His performance is complimented by the stellar keyboard work of Mark Cardenas which ranges from warm synth washes to acid jazz, rock and funk. And Ben Smith, “Chief High Hat” adds just the right amount of rhythmic texture, or… rockin, funkin’ drive to our grooves. Danny Godinez and Danny Mangold smoothly work their magic adding just enough flair & spice… and push the melody & message with soaring electric rock & blues voices…
This is the cutting edge of a new genre that has as it’s intent to explore the world of Native American music. Eagle’s Jump strives to deliver a sound that allows the Native compositions to breathe without always being constrained to Western time and meter. Little of this has ever been done, rather, Native music is usually chopped and stretched to fit the Western time or groove. Their music features native vocal stylings and time, and also merges and soars with contemporary flavors!
Arlie Neskahi
…is Dine’ (Navajo), born within the Dine’ Nation of New Mexico. His Dine’ name is Hataali Chee,”Red Singer”, and his vocal and native flute music is noted for it’s melodic and soulful style. Currently living in Seattle, Washington, he is well known throughout the Indian Nations for his performance, composition and knowledge of traditional music. In addition, he is an excellent storyteller and lecturer on Native American culture and spirituality. Arlie has won many awards and has numerous song commissions from the Gathering of Nations Song to the Mayor’s Honor Song of Seattle. His band, Songcatchers, album, Dreaming in Color was awarded the First Americans in the Arts; Outstanding Musical Achievement for 1994. His composition and performance, Round Dance, was featured on the 1995 Grammy Award winning Prayer for the Wild Things; by Paul Winter and the Earth Band.
In 2002, Arlie completed a commissioned song for the Office of the Mayor of Seattle. Then in 2003, he was appointed to the Seattle Arts Commission by Mayor Greg Nichols. The Mayor Song’s documentary was chosen for screening at the NAFTA filmfest in LA, Nov. 2002, and won first place in it’s category at the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Awards, 2003. He wrote “Kinji’s Suite” for the Third Angle ensemble of the Oregon Symphony, which was debuted in November 1999 and performed again in February 2001. His music has been featured on four Spirit Mountain Casino ads promoting the Grand Ronde’s Tribe’s community fund. In 1999, Two Rivers, a native flute/electric guitar duo, was released on Sounds of Portland. This CD, produced by KXL FM 95.5, and the Portland Visitor’s Association, featured some of the finest of Portland’s musicians. His native singing group the White Eagle Singers are known throughout North America as one of the finest “powwow drums” today. They are winners of numerous singing competitions in both the US and Canada.
He toured internationally with the American Indian Dance Theatre as lead singer and Musical Director to Japan, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and 2 US tours of the West and East Coasts. His other current musical projects include working on producing Native Music concerts with Painted Sky www.paintedsky.org, in the Pacific NW. Lead singer for the White Eagle Singers and being contracted to compose for theatre, video, and film.
Mark Cardenas
Mark Cardenas, keyboardist, one of the hottest cats in Seattle, Mark is one of my grand partners in the Native musical scene. He is a master of composition and musical arrangement. When he speaks EVERYBODY listens as they know he can guide the music to the right places. Mark is a person whose accompaniment to Native music is unparalleled He is one of the original members of the Songcatchers and his work with this band in the mid-90’s set the bar for Native musical collaboration.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mark began studying piano at the early age of four and moved on to guitar at 11. In his early teens he studied classical piano at the USC Prepatory School of Music. Studies at LA Harbor College and Sonoma State University introduced him to jazz and funk. He toured extensively around the East Coast for the next several years. In 1983 Mark relocated to Minneapolis where he soon landed a position as multi-keyboardist in Prince’s funk alter ego group, The Time. Mark recorded on the multi-platinum album Ice Cream Castles and appeared in the Warner Bros. box office hit Purple Rain. In 1985 Cardenas recorded tracks for Janet Jackson’s critically acclaimed debut album Control. Mark presently resides in Seattle as one of the most sought-after live performance keyboardists and session players. He has taught vocal and instrumental music full-time for 4 years in the Everett Public Schools. He has shared the stage with such artists as Peter Gabriel, George Clinton, The Neville Brothers, Heart, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), Pigeonhed and Phat Sidy Smokehouse and numerous other artists and productions.
Mark recently composed several soundtracks for Microsoft Video and Multimedia.
Ben Smith
Ben Smith, drums/percussion, is another exciting person with whom I love to make music. Ben’s work blending and following the lead of the Native vocables and rhythmic textures is amazing. As a powerhouse drummer his respect and love for Native music comes through as he flies with the music. And in return, he is able to drive some masterful grooves on Eagle’s Jump’s funky and rockin’ pieces! Ben is also one of the original members of the Songcatchers.
Ben is the talented drummer behind Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. He hooked up with Ann and Nancy in Seattle when they were looking for a drummer for their band “The HeartMongers.” They must have liked what he had to offer, because he has been with Heart on and off now for a decade. Ben hasperformed and recorded with an impressive and diverse roster of artists, including: Heart, Kenny G, Taj Mahal, Lovemongers, Deniece Williams, P.F. Sloan (legendary producer and writer of “Eve of Destruction” and “Secret Agent Man”), Cornelius Bumpus, Cyndi Lauper, jazz artists Nancy Wilson, Ernestine Anderson and Randy Brecker, Fatback Band, Phoebe Snow, Tingstas and Rumbel, Southside Johnny, The Songcatchers featuring Charles Neville, Tony Gable and 206 (top of the charts Contemporary Jazz group) and Mercury Records new artist Laura Love; as well as the many other talented artists Ben works with live and in the studio, in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Currently, he is also working with Nancy Wilson’s new music group, Roadcase Royale!
Versatile. Solid. Precise. Dependable. On disk and on stage, Ben Smith earns his reputation night in and night out as a premiere, first-call player. http://www.bensmithdrummer.com/
Danny Godinez
Danny Godinez, guitarist, a masterful musician and former touring member of the Songcatchers. Danny is a master in many styles from classical to funk to rock, he is a joy to play with and lends his style and virtuosity to the Eagle’s Jump experience. His group, The Danny Godinez Band has toured extensively the past two years. Danny Godinez has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He is currently singing and playing guitar for the Danny Godinez Band who has performed over 200 shows this past year and a half. They have played a number of festivals throughout Washington, including the Tacoma Blues Festival, where a representative from Tacoma Guitars described them as “mesmerizing….”. The band tours throughout the Northwest, Midwest, East Coast, and Alaska. Danny performed on a Bob Dylan tribute record for Red House Records entitled “A Nod to Bob”. Danny has toured the United States as guitarist for the Lara Lavi Band. Lara has written with Chris Isaak, Suzanne Vega, and The Neville Brothers. In 2000, Danny placed first in the State of Washington in a guitar competition sponsored by VH-1 and Fender Guitars. Danny enjoys teaching guitar immensely and has taught guitar for over twelve years. Danny is a founding member of Rock School and taught for us at BEST High School and Northstar Junior High prior to becoming a staff member at Rock School. www.dannygodinez.com
Danny Mangold
Danny Mangold Songwriter, Producer, Guitarist and singer. Danny was a Fargo North graduate and spent most of his youth in area bands. Probably best known for his band The Metro All Stars, Danny also was a key member of the 70’s bands Silver and a later life version of The Uglies. Mangold customized guitars for Prince and Janet Jackson among others at Knut-Koupe Music in Minneapolis before moving to the Pacific Northwest. In 1989, with his mother Marlys, he opened “Danny’s Music” in Everett, Washington,[2] a rare and vintage guitar shop, whose clients included Green Day, Nirvana, Heart, and many other well-known musicians. On April 21, 2001, he was seriously injured when his car went off the road and crashed near Seattle. Mangold’s injuries caused him to close down Danny’s Music and sell the inventory to pay his medical expenses.[3] After moving to Seattle, Washington, Mangold was introduced to Charles Neville and Mark Cardenas. Mangold guested as one of the guitar players on their “Dreaming in Color” record. Seattle-based Native Fusion band release by the Songcatchers. Mangold’s other guitar playing/touring projects include a CD with Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors (Heart of the City), with proceeds going to the Everett Women’s Shelter in 1997. Drummer on the project, Ben Smith, introduced Mangold to Ann Wilson from Heart/Lovemongers. Over 2000-2001, Mangold filled in for Nancy Wilson on various live dates, and was hired as the lead guitar player for Heart’s then-upcoming tour when his accident occurred in 2001. Today, fully recovered from his injuries, Mangold continues to produce music in Seattle for Music Supervisors, Los Angeles. https://www.facebook.com/louislouis1234
