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| There’s No Place like Home for Native American Musician Arvel Bird "There's no place like home, " said Native American musician Arvel Bird on his return to his hometown St. George, Utah in May for three area performances as part of the National Tour for his newest album Ride Indian Ride. "Music is a part of my soul, and my soul is in Utah, " said Bird. "It's were my musical beginnings started and where I learned about my heritage." Now a sought-after artist in his own right, Arvel previously toured with Country legends such as Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price and Louise Mandrell. Born to a Mormon family in Idaho, and raised in St. George, Utah, Arvel is a classically trained violinist and recording artist with a flawless talent and a passion to inspire his audiences. He uses his mixed-blood heritage – his mother is Native American (Shivwits Band of Paiutes, Utah) and his father was a Mormon of Scottish ancestry – to full advantage to create a repertoire like none before. His music is so universally appealing that no matter what style of music one enjoys, from classical, new age, to country, world, Celtic or blues, it's all in his captivating work. Arvel's musical career began at age nine when he turned to the violin to help him through some hard family times. His dad had a temper and there were many arguments in the household making young Arvel always feel that he was treading on eggshells. There was a fiddle in the family, and it became his refuge. He would retreat to his room to practice for hours and escape into a fantasy world away from the family struggles. Arvel showed early promise on the violin, but suffered repeated setbacks when teachers at school and later professors at the university where he won a music scholarship told him he wasn't good enough. Their lack of encouragement left Arvel feeling deflated and discouraged. "The very people who should have nurtured my dreams let me down, " he said. His one guiding light was a private music teacher, Mrs. Olea Kinke in Salt Lake City who saw his potential and gave him encouragement. According to Arvel, "Mrs. Kinke was in such high demand that I had to pass an audition just to take lessons with her. She told my parents I had talent, and obviously saw something that I didn't. She brought the magic of music to life for me and taught me about life, self-confidence, poise, walking, smiling, presentation, and, of course, performance." Taking his future into his own hands, and leaving everything he knew behind (including his scholarship), Arvel then sought out renowned Hungarian violinist Paul Roland at the University of Illinois. He blossomed under the professor's tutorage, and Arvel credits him with "taking me apart and putting me back together again. I knew how to play the violin but I didn't know what music was." With a new-found confidence and burning with the desire to prove everyone wrong, he threw himself into becoming a professional musician. Arvel went on to tour for years with Country greats such as Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price and Louise Mandrell, and eventually branched out on his own. He uses his mixed blood heritage of Southern Paiute American Indian and Scottish as the inspiration for his compositions, creating a unique sound that is universally appealing to a wide array of audiences. Arvel's music speaks directly to the souls of millions of people who enjoy his foot-stomping beats and his Native American storytelling. In May, he is returning to Utah for three performances in the St. George area. "I tour all over the country and the world now, but there is nothing like coming back to Utah, " Arvel said. "It's a breath of fresh air for me to come home to where my musical roots began." Arvel will be appearing May 7 at the Zion Flute & Drum Festival in Springdale, UT; May 8 at the Symphony of the Canyons in Kanab, UT; and May 10 at the Concert in the Park in St. George, UT. Arvel's CDs will be available for sale at these venues, as well as online on his web site at www.arvelbird.com. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |