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| Arvel Bird Releases Anticipated Storyteller Album Known around the world for his dramatic connections between Native American and Celtic traditions that culminate in inspiring violin and flute compositions, Arvel Bird today announced the release of his 17th album Storyteller. After years of demand from his fans, Bird has compiled the many traditional stories that he vividly tells during his live performances into one riveting recording. In this spoken word CD, Bird emotionally blends the cultural and spiritual elements of the majestic animals that were such an integral part of the lives of indigenous ancestors. From the strength of "The Bear, " to the flight of "The Red-Tailed Hawk, " the stories of each animal totem blend in magical harmony with the musical compositions in the background. Always a part of his inspiring performances, Bird's stories have never before been compiled and recorded as an art in themselves. It is these stories that make Bird's music evoke the soul of North American history. His performances are entertaining, but also enlightening and humanizing, and Storyteller captures the essence of his live performance. Arvel Bird is the Storyteller. "I've always focused on the music in my previous CDs, yet I always wanted to capture the many stories that I tell during live performances, " said Arvel Bird. "Storyteller is a labor of love, because I so thoroughly enjoy the stories that bring my music to life." "Storytelling is such an integral part of my ancestral traditions, both on my Native American and Scottish sides, " continued Bird. "Honoring this tradition is part of my heritage and it is my obligation to share the tradition of storytelling with the world." Storyteller can be purchased on the Arvel Bird website store at www.arvelbird.com. For more information visit Arvel Bird's website or follow him at www.facebook.com/thearvelbird, www.twitter/arvelbird, or www.myspace.com/arvelbird. About Arvel Bird: Arvel Bird, a Native American flutist/violinist, is known around the world for his dramatic connection between Native American and Celtic traditions, stirring up scenes that echo from North American memory. Dubbed "Lord of the Strings" by fans and music critics, his music evokes the soul of North American history and is thoroughly entertaining, but also enlightening and humanizing. In a language and experience that captures the hearts of all audiences, he's emotional without being condescending, intellectual without being pretentious. One measure of any art form is when the medium is so mastered that it becomes transparent, allowing its message to be seen, heard and felt. Arvel Bird has achieved that mastery. Bird attended Arizona State University on music scholarship, and later transferred to Champagne/Urbana, IL where he studied classical violin with renowned Hungarian violinist Paul Roland at the University of Illinois. As he worked to develop his own music style and a large and loyal following, Bird went wherever the music called him, which led him away from classical and towards Bluegrass, Appalachian, Folk and Celtic. In 1986, Bird was hired by Glen Campbell to tour worldwide for six years. In 1991, he moved to Nashville and also toured with Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Louise Mandrell, Clay Walker, and others. His dream to record and perform using the violin as a lead instrument – completely contrary to the Nashville view of the fiddle as a backup or side-musician instrument -began in 2001. The result was a fusion of both his Scottish (Clan Kennedy) and Native American (Paiute) roots that are uniquely his own and intricately woven throughout his songs. Bird has released 16 CDs and two DVDs, earning him numerous music awards. In 2009, he took home top honors for Best Instrumental Album and Best Producer/ Engineer (with Grammy-winning producer Tom Wasinger and Nashville engineer Chas Williams) at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for Tribal Music Suite: Journey of a Paiute. In 2007, he was voted Artist of the Year by his fans and peers at the Native American Music Awards. Bird led with six nominations at the 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, and took home honors for Best Traditional Instrumental. His continuously evolving music is delighting audiences worldwide. His latest album, Ride Indian Ride, released in January 2010, is a departure from his more traditional cultural music, with an edgier blues/rock feel and a stronger, more soulful sound. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page |