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| Violinist Arvel Bird Brings National Tour to the Rockies Hot off sell-out performances and standing ovation crowds in New York and Utah, "Lord of the Strings" Arvel Bird is bringing his award-winning music to the Colorado Rockies in May and June. Arvel has 16 CDs, with his newest album, Ride Indian Ride, just released this year. Prior to becoming one of the most popular Native American musicians on tour today, Arvel previously toured with Country legends such as Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price and Louise Mandrell. Artist of the Year Winner at the Native American Music Awards, Arvel will be appearing Memorial Day weekend at Territory Days, May 29-31, Old Colorado City (23rd Street – 27th Street), Colorado Springs, CO. Arvel will be appearing 11:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. all three days. Admission is free. (Venue website: http://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/content.php?id=98 ) On stage with Arvel will be his good friend and Native American drummer Brad Bearsheart and the Bearsheart Dancers—Brad's children Varinia, Nathaniel and Ella. Arvel Bird will also perform, accompanied by the Bearsheart Dancers, at the Tri-Lakes Native American Inter-Tribal Festival, Saturday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Lakeside Gazebo on Palmer Lake, Highaway 105, in Lake Palmer, Colorado. Admission is free. (Venue website: http://www.trilakesarts.org/events.html) June 13 at 2:00 p.m. Arvel will perform at the Unity of Boulder, 2855 Folsom Street, Boulder, CO, and he will lead an Animal Totem Workshop and guided medication/Shamanic Journey on June 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Brad Bearsheart and the Bearsheart Family Dancers will also accompany Arvel at this concert. Call Unity of Boulder at 303-442-1411 for more information about the concert location and workshop. About Arvel Bird: 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. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |