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Julia Keefe

@juliakeefeofficial

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“A songbird of a jazz vocalist” - NYT
Nimiipuu jazz singer, actor, & director of the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band
#NativesInJazz #IndigenousJazz

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Incarnadine: noun, a bright crimson; verb, to make the color of flesh, to redden.
We are beyond thrilled to be releasing our debut album on May 8th, 2026! After nearly two years of marinating in these tracks, the music demands to be heard.

Pre-save the debut Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band album, Incarnadine, today!
https://found.ee/Julia-Keefe-Incarnadine

Listen to the first single from the album, "Wawasint8da," Friday March 13th, available on all your streaming platforms.
https://found.ee/Julia-Keefe-Wawasint8da

Photo: Nate Lemuel, @darklistedphotography
Album artwork: Ellen Taylor, @ellentaylornativeartist
Album design: Kevin Markman

For publicity, contact Lydia Liebman @lydialiebmanpromotions
For bookings, contact Mike Epstein @efperformances

#IndigenousJazz #NativesInJazz #albumrelease #jazzalbum #IncarnadineYourMind by @juliakeefeofficial

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Incarnadine
The debut album of the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band is coming to you May 8th, 2026.

Personnel:
Marc Cary, Chappaquiddick Wampanoag, Piano @marccarymusic
Mali Obomsawin, Abanaki of Odanak First Nation, Bass and Vocals @maliobomsawin
Edward Littlefield, Lingít, Drums @edlittlefield1
Magdalena Abrego, Guitar
Kalí Rodriguez, Taíno, Trumpet @kalirodriguezmusic
Giovanni Martinez, Yaqui, Trumpet @gioincognito
Delbert Anderson, Diné, Trumpet @delbertanderson
Chuck Copenace, Ojibwe, Trumpet @chuckcmusic
Quinn Carson, Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and Kiowa Tribe, Trombone @quinncarson
Christopher Gonzales, Mestizo, Trombone
Wade Demmert, Lingít and Oglala Lakota, Bass Trombone @wadedemmert
Rogan Tinsley, Kanaka Moali, Alto Saxophone and Vocals @rogan.kahale
Asa Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag, Alto Saxophone and Vocals @asapeters
Adam Lamoureux, Muskegon (Swampy Cree), Tenor Saxophone @adam.lamoureux
Michael Gutierrez, Comanche and Cheyenne-Arapaho, Tenor Saxophone @michaelgtz_music
Orion White, Nez Perce and Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, Baritone Saxophone @dat.bari.sax

Julia Keefe, Nez Perce, Director, Vocals and Background Vocals

Produced by Julia Keefe and Quinn Carson
Additional Tracking by Quinn Carson and Ken Rich
Mixed by Ken Rich @grandstreetrecording
Mastered by Dave Darlington @davedarlingtonbasshitrecording

Album artwork by Ellen Taylor (Umatilla) @ellentaylornativeartist
Album design by Kevin Markman by @juliakeefeofficial

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I am thrilled to announce the first single from the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band's upcoming album!

"Wawasint8da" by Mali Obomsawin (Abanaki of Odanak First Nation) and arranged by Allison Burik, will be released on all streaming platforms on March 13th, 2026! This composition was originally a Catholic hymn that was translated into Abanaki by early French Jesuit missionaries. "Wawasint8da" tells the story of Jesus' descent into hell to save the souls of people who died before converting to Christianity. This arrangement was premiered at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival in May 2024. We cannot wait for you to hear more!

Featuring:
Mali Obomsawin (lead voice & bass)
Julia Keefe (Nez Perce, background voice & director)
Marc Cary (Chappaquiddick Wampanoag, piano)
Edward Littlefield (Lingít, drums)
Magdalena Abrego (guitar)
Kalí Rodriguez-Peña (Taíno, trumpet)
Delbert Anderson (Diné, trumpet)
Chuck Copenace (Ojibwe, trumpet)
Quinn Carson (Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and Kiowa Tribe, trumpet & trombone)
Christopher Gonzales (Mestizo, trombone)
Wade Demmert (Lingít and Oglala Lakota, bass trombone)
Rogan Kahale Tinsley (Kanaka Moali, alto sax)
Asa Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag, alto sax)
Adam Lamoureux (Muskegon [Swampy Cree], tenor sax)
Michael Gutierrez (Comanche and Cheyenne-Arapaho, tenor sax)
Orion White (Nez Perce and Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, bari sax)

Pre-save the first single from the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band, "Wawasint8da," here:
https://found.ee/Julia-Keefe-Wasasint8da

Artwork by the incomparable Ellen Taylor (Umatilla)
"Wawasint8da" was recorded through the support of The Prior Performing Arts Center at the College of the Holy Cross.

#BigBand #Jazz #IndigenousJazz #NativesInJazz #NewMusic by @juliakeefeofficial

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What motivates the vivacious jazz vocalist Julia Keefe? New episodes of the Hop Sessions—including this one featuring a rich conversation and concert recording of Julia Keefe’s Indigenous Big Band—air in November on NHPR. Catch her concert tonight at the Hop🎙️

🗓️ Wed 10/14 at 7:30 PM
📍Spaulding Auditorium by @juliakeefeofficial

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FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION!!

#FYC The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band released its debut album this year and we are officially on the first round ballot for the 2027 GRAMMY® Awards!

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album - Incarnadine, Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band
Best Jazz Performance - "Wawasint8da", Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band featuring Mali Obomsawin
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella - "DDAT Suite mvt. 3 Iron Horse Gallup", arranged by Franklin Piland
Best Arrangement, Instrumental & Vocals - "Wawasint8da", arranged by Allison Burik

I am overjoyed to work with these amazing Indigenous jazz musicians and to help share this music with you all. The album personnel includes Marc Cary, Mali Obomsawin, Ed Littlefield, Magdalena Abrego, Kali Rodriguez, Giovanni Martinez, Delbert Anderson, Chuck Copenace, Quinn Carson, Christopher Gonzales, Wade Demmert, Rogan Kahale Tinsley, Asa Peters, Adam Lamoureux, Michael Gutierrez, and Orion White. Incarnadine was recorded through the support of The Prior Performing Arts Center at the College of the Holy Cross.

Listen and learn more at https://www.juliakeefe.com/for-your-consideration

#GRAMMYs #ForYourConsideration #NativesInJazz #IndigenousJazz by @juliakeefeofficial

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🎷This Sunday and Monday at noon on State of the Art: 🎷
@juliakeefeofficial Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band

This big band is the first of its kind — its personnel includes indigenous musicians from right across the country, the music they perform reflects indigenous jazz artists, composers and arrangers from the 1930s to today, from tribes of the Southwest up to the Wabanaki in our region, and their leader is this week’s guest, Julia Keefe.

They'll be coming to the State Theater on October 15, presented by @portland_ovations

Keefe is a jazz vocalist, educator, activist, composer and bandleader who spent some of her childhood on a reservation in the Nez Perce tribal community in Idaho, and is now based in New York City. Julia has been touring with this big band for the past several years and, in March, their debut album was released, titled Incarnadine.

Keefe joins us to talk about how this big band got started, what music we’ll hear at the Portland concert later this month, and being mentored by Esperanza Spalding. She also talks about her lifelong affection for Mildred Bailey, the 20th century jazz singer whose biopic is now in development thanks to Keefe’s vision.

For more about Julie Keefe Indigenous Big Band and the October 15 concert at the @statetheatreportland, go to portlandovations.org.

Tune in on Maine Public Classical, Sunday and Monday at noon to hear the interview, or head to mainepublic.org to hear the full interview starting Monday afternoon. by @juliakeefeofficial

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Big band brilliance meets Native storytelling... we can’t wait for @juliakeefeofficial 🎤 🎺 🥁 by @juliakeefeofficial

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JKIBB is on the road! October tour dates! Come join us as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in the Northeast and get ready for Native American Heritage Month in South Florida. Because we can't be erased. "Like fry bread, we rise."

10/14 - The Hopkins Center, Hanover, NH
10/15 - The State Theatre, Portland, ME
10/16 - Sprague Memorial Hall, New Haven, CT
10/22 - The Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, FL

#IndigenousJazz #NativesInJazz #womeninjazz #jazzbigband #tourdates by @juliakeefeofficial

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16 days ago

JULIA KEEFE INDIGENOUS BIG BAND brings its powerful sound to the Kravis Center on OCTOBER 22!

Led by acclaimed Nez Perce jazz vocalist Julia Keefe, the 16-piece ensemble features Native and Indigenous musicians from across the country, celebrating their contributions to the history of jazz through music and storytelling.

Keefe, who has performed with Tony Bennett, has been praised by The New York Times as “a songbird of a jazz vocalist.”

Get your tickets at the link in our bio!

#JuliaKeefe #IndigenousBigBand #KravisCenter #WestPalmBeach taken in Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts by @juliakeefeofficial

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More wonderful reviews of Incarnadine, the debut album from the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band!

"They are celebrating the brilliance and resilience of those who survived and thrived through the beauty of their culture, prayers and songs... a beautiful and heartfelt debut..." from Mike Greenblatt at The Aquarian!

Read more here:
https://www.theaquarian.com/2026/09/02/rantnroll-63/

Check out JKIBB on the road this October:
10/14 at Dartmouth University
10/15 at The State Theatre, Portland ME
10/16 at Yale University
10/22 at The Kravis Center, West Palm Beach FL

#IndigenousJazz #NativesInJazz #WomenInJazz #bigband #debutalbum by @juliakeefeofficial

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When the audience demands one more song, obviously we gotta dance!

Continuing my 15 Years Happy celebration with this throwback to the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band performance at the Univeristy of Michigan in Ann Arbor. What a phenominal audience!

It was on this day 15 years ago that I checked into Schick Shadel Hospital, an addiction treatment center in Seattle. I was in my final year of my undergrad studying music and desperate to not only get a handle on my relationship with alcohol but also to finish out my bachelors. I wanted to return to the music as soon as possible. After my time at Schick, I focused on my aftercare with weekly therapy sessions and diving deeper into my music studies. Music was SUCH a crucial part of my recovery and continues to be the central pillar of my ongoing wellness. And honestly, my sobriety has been a central pillar to my practice of music. I really couldn't have one without the other.

I'm so grateful for my sobriety journey and the doors I've been able to open in the last 15 years because of my sobriety. I genuinely wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't be working with these incredible musicians, in these wonderful venues, performing for these generous and welcoming audiences, had I not hit rock bottom 15 years ago and checked into treatment.

Thank you to the members of JKIBB and our larger Indigenous jazz community for the role you play in my recovery. Thank you for inspiring me, laughing with me, and making music with me. I am forever grateful to this community we have built together.

If you or someone you know is in need of support for substance use disorder, please reach out to SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 988.

#sobriety #music #therapy #jazzmusic #IndigenousJazz by @juliakeefeofficial

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15 Years Happy!

I want to dedicate this anniversary to my beloved former music teacher, Dana Sewall Zahler. I don’t know where I would be without her love, her support, and her passion for music education. Dana exposed our choir to music from all over the world. And even after graduation, she stayed in touch and invited me to lead a vocal improvisation workshop for her students. Dana was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. She has navigated this chapter in her usual way: with love and passion for creating more beautiful things. She has a call for music submissions for her Legacy Tribute Project, a virtual choir performance of “Now I Walk In Beauty.”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o--8uGOEsSOVdQ2334vX4ZO-vA6Wpz-F/view

Please submit a recording to join us in Dana’s Legacy Tribute Project.

Music is a protective factor. Music is an experiential therapy. Music builds community. And to celebrate 15 Years Happy, I am uplifting music education and my dear friend Dana. Because I know music saves lives.

Please support music education and this wonderful music educator.

#sobriety #music #musiceducation #danalegacytributeproject #15yearshappy by @juliakeefeofficial

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