Location: Seattle
Tribe(s): Tlingit, Haida, Yup’ik, Cherokee
Current Members: Preston Singletary (bass/vocals), Skerik (sax/piano), Gene Tagaban (vocals/flute/hand drum), Captain Raab (guitar/vocals), Denny Stern (percussion), Tim Kennedy (keyboards), Ed Littlefield (drums/vocals), Sondra Segundo (vocals/hand drum), Arias Hoyle (vocals) and Jason Cressey (trombone)
Past Members: Bernie Worrell (keyboards), Clarissa Rizal (vocals/hand drum), Stanton Moore (drums/percussion), Nahaan (vocals/hand drum), Om Johari (vocals), Dave Abramson (percussion), Steve Nistor (drums/percussion), Hans Teuber (sax/bass clarinet/piano), Indrayani Ananda (vocals/hand drum), Stephen Blanchett (vocals), Carly Kienow (vocals), Davee C (drums), Eyvind Kang (viola), and Jason Kardong (pedal steel)
Years active: 2013 – Present
Credited with: Not available
Honors & Awards: Not available
Associated with: Not available
Discography: Spotify
Genre(s): Jazz fusion, funk, rock, traditional
Biography
Khu.éex’ began as a recording in 2013 after a chance meeting between Bernie Worrell and Preston Singletary. Together with Skerik and Stanton Moore, Gene Tagaban and Clarissa Rizal, Khu.éex’ recorded under the direction of Randall Dunn. Khu.éex’ has released a double album, “The Wilderness Within” and the triple LP “They Forgot They Survived”. In 2018, the triple LP “Héen” (which translates to “water” in the Tlingit language) was released. All albums were produced and released by the band independently.
Khu.éex’ explores Jazz and Funk/Rock with an improvisational style. They fuse these styles with spoken word in English, Tlingit, Haida and Yup’ic languages; the preservation of these native languages though their music is fundamental to their vision as artists. This cross-fertilization results in a new sound. Performance art, using traditional masks and regalia accent their dynamic live performances. (Source: Band’s website)
Performances
Meet Khu.éex: Interview with Coastal Cafe
Format: Interview, Date: 2023, Duration: 2:00
Síigaay Gid uu Díi íijang (“I am a Child of the Ocean”)
Format: Live, Date: 2023, Duration: 4:50
The Magic of Noise (references Jim Pepper and Redbone influences)
Format: Official, Date: 2019, Duration: 4:18
Khu.éex’ Live Performance – for Seattle Reads 2020
Format: Live, Date: 2020, Duration: 20:23
Khu.éex’ live performance and interviews – for Seattle Sacred Music & Art
Format: Official, Date: 2021, Duration: 29:45
Surpassed – at Seattle Town Hall
Format: Live, Date: 2019, Duration: 6:56
Canoe Song – at Seattle Town Hall
Format: Live, Date: 2019, Duration: 7:46
No More Planks – at Seattle Town Hall
Format: Live, Date: 2019, Duration: 9:48
Spiritual Warfare – at Seattle Town Hall
Format: Live, Date: 2019, Duration: 6:48
Angry Bear – Khu.éex’ at Nectar
2020Format: Live, Date: 2017, Duration: 8:03
Going North – Khu.éex’ at Nectar
Format: Live, Date: 2017, Duration: 6:53
Earth Prayer – Khu.éex’ at Nectar
Format: Live, Date: 2017, Duration: 7:13
Khu.éex’ Interview for Daybreak Star Radio Network
Format: Interview, Date: 2022, Duration: 37:15
Tribal Information
Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
“The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) is a tribal government representing over 36,000 Tlingit and Haida Indians worldwide. We are a sovereign entity and have a government to government relationship with the United States.
“Tlingit & Haida is currently working to expand its offices throughout Alaska and the lower 48. Our commitment to serving the Tlingit and Haida people extends throughout the United States.” – Tribal website
Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska website
Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution (the Supremacy Clause)
“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”