Raymond Carlos Nakai

Raymond Carlos Nakai was born on April 16, 1946 in Flagstaff, Arizona. He married to Pam Hyde-Nakai.  He is one of the most important Native American persons in the music and culture field. He started his musical studies on the trumpet, but when he was young he suffered a car accident which ruined his embouchure and forced him to change the instrument. Since then, his interests and studies took a turn. He was given a Cedar flute as a gift and it was there when he started being more interested on this instrument. He has received lots of awards, also a Master’s Degree in American Indian Studies from University of Arizona. He incorporated the flute into music of all styles and cultures. Nakai also views his cultural heritage not only as a source and inspiration, but also a dynamic continuum of natural change and growth. In Nakai’s opinion, the music of the United Stated is based on the involvement, interaction and influence of all of our cultures. He believes that all of the “Native Americans” must all bring cultural heritage with them and share it in whatever ways they can. He is sharing it with music and culture ways.

Nakai’s music is difficult to describe. He describes his own music as a contemporary traditional American Indian Music. Opinions of others ethnomusicologists said that his music describes the Southwest; it also draws the inspiration from mountains, valleys, wind, sunsets and from the earth itself. It’s a kind of a relaxing music with soft melodies. He has collaborated with jazz, rock, blues, folk, classical and country artists, as well as musicians from Japan and Tibet.

                Improvisation is a natural component of most Native American music, and Nakai’s work is not an exception. He wanted to express himself with music; he wanted to express his feelings and emotions, that’s why almost all of his work is based on improvisation.

                 The flute is the most important Native American instrument besides the drums. Since the lack of p a written language, the history of the Native American Flute is not very clear. There are many storied about how the flute was discovered, created or given to Native people. Some of them talked about a young man wanting to attract the attention of a maiden. There were also a lot of types of flutes in use, the Native Americans played flutes, which they made in that time with natural materials.  The instrument was originally very personal; its music was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Now it is played most of the times along with other instruments or vocals. This instrument was passed from generation to generation. Today we are still remembering the Native American flutes; they are still having a wonderful sound.