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Khu.éex’
Tlingit tribal member Preston Singletary, an internationally known glass sculptor, honed this sonic vision
of collaboration with other major musicians including the legendary Bernie
Worrell, Skerik, Stanton Moore, Captain Raab, and tribal members, Clarissa
Rizal, Gene Tagaban and Nahaan.
Khu.éex’ (prounced koo-eex) translates to “Potlatch” in the Tlingit language, a Native tribal group from Southeast Alaska. Singletary thought of the name Khu.éex' because of the notion of
sharing culture, stories, and music. This is the intent of the project, to
present a contemporary interpretation of our culture and release our unique
project, "The Wilderness Within", on double vinyl.
Khu.éex'
features spoken word, Native storytelling, and singing, performed with an
experimental approach with rock/funk aspects. Our band also performs in
traditional regalia and NW coast masks.
Be part of this collaborative project by helping us release our debut album on double vinyl! Every gift matters, in any amount, to help us towards our goal of raising $25,000. Select your Perk at the right of this page.
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Band Members Include:
Bernie Worrell – Keyboards - (Cherokee)
A respected elder who has African American and Cherokee ancestry. He has played
with countless musicians over the years, but most notably as the founding
member of the legendary Parliament-Funkadelic. He has previously
played with the Talking Heads and has released many solo records over the years.
Preston Singletary – Bass - (Tlingit) Singletary has become synonymous with the
relationship between European glass blowing traditions and Northwest Native
art. He is also involved with “A Little Big Band” a Native folk and soul band.
Captain Raab – Guitar -
(Blackfoot) Raab has played in the band Red Earth, out of Albuquerque, which is
a Native Funk rock band.
Clarissa
Rizal –Vocals - (Tlingit) Rizal is a multi media artist and Chilkat/Ravenstail weaver who performs spoken word and sings traditional Native songs. She has been essential in
providing guidance in explaining the songs from a traditional context.
Gene Tagaban –Vocals - (Tlingit) Tagaban performs spoken word, traditional singing and
storytelling, as well as playing flute. He is also an influential storyteller, trainer, speaker, mentor and performer within
the community.
Skerik – Saxophone - An avant-garde sax player who plays in notable projects including Critters Buggin, Garage a
Trois and NW supergroup Mad Season.
Stanton
Moore – Drums - An accomplished drummer based out of New Orleans, and
has played with a wide variety of musicians. Moore is also noted as the
founding member of Galactic.
Nahaan –Vocals - (Tlingit) Nahaan is a Tlingit language teacher, Náakw Dancers leader, traditional Tlingit tattoo artist, and spoken word artist contributing his original songs and words to the Khu.éex’collective.
Randall Dunn - Producer, Audio Engineer -
A highly respected producer who has worked with legendary jazz musicians such
as John Zorn and Eyvind Kang, as well as working with on the upcoming Thurston Moore album.
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How Khu.éex' Began
Khu.éex’ began with a chance meeting between Bernie Worrell and Preston
Singletary through a crowd-funding program where Bernie was raising funds for a tour bus. Preston invited Bernie to perform at his birthday party, where Preston sang Bernie a traditional Native song to welcome him. Bernie sat down
with his keyboards and began improvising on the melody that was still
lingering in the air. He created a spontaneous, psychedelic and soulful
composition right on the spot.
The
next day Bernie asked Preston’s band, “A Little Big Band” (a Native funk/soul band)
to be the opening act for his show. After the concert Bernie shared with Preston
that he had been thinking about his music, had several exciting ideas, and that
they should record together. A union was formed.
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What We've Done and What We Need
Two
years, three recording sessions and three performances later there are four
hours of music already recorded. Khu.éex’ has been working hard at Avast Studio
in Seattle with the notable Randall Dunn (Engineer/Record Producer of the Cave
Singers, Boris, Earth, and a founding member of Master Musicians of Bukkake) to create our unique collaborative music project.
After three inspirational
recordings of basic tracks and several days of overdubbing, Khu.éex’ is asking for
your vital help to release our album, "The Wilderness Within", on double vinyl.
In addition to releasing "The Wilderness Within" Khu.éex’ will use funds raised for future production costs for continuing our music. We expect that once funded our album will have a turn around time of 3-5 months.
Live Video of Khu.éex’
Ways You Can Help
Any amount helps us towards our goal of raising $25,000 to release our album and for future production costs. We're offering a wide variety of unique perks to our contributors. Be part of this amazing collaborative project today by choosing your contribution level, select your Perk listed on the right side of this page. Scroll down for images of Perks.
Unable to contribute financially? You can still
help us! Share our story with your friends via
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or email a personal note to your friends about us! Use the share buttons on the upper left of this page. Sharing our story and campaign is a very valuable gift that we appreciate.
Thank You For Your Support!
Khu.éex’
PERKS:
$30 - $45 Level: Khu.éex’ Album on Double Vinyl! Receive the debut release of "The Wilderness Within" on black double vinyl at the $30 Level or at the $45 level, receive the album on colored vinyl. Comes with a digital download of album.
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$25 Level: , "Left For Dead in Seattle" featuring Reggie Watts on vocals and keys, and a variety of other Seattle musicians.
$30 Level: Bernie Worrell "WOO" T-Shirt, Purple design on light grey t-shirt.
Front:
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Reverse:
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$50 Level: Receive a two DVD set, "Creative Techniques for Keyboards: Building Grooves and Layering Sounds" featuring Bernie Worrell.
$100 Level: Unframed silkscreen on paper, titled "Bear Cub" (with Tlingit translation on lower margin) , signed and numbered by the artist Preston Singletary, from an edition of 100, 11" x 30".
$100 Level: Unframed silkscreen on paper, titled "Octopus and Killer Whale" , signed and numbered by the artist Preston Singletary, from an edition of 100, 15" x 19".
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$100 Level: “An Ocean Runs Through Us” triptych by the artist Clarissa Rizal. Signed and numbered, Limited Edition giclee print on canvas, unframed. Approximate size 7”h x 18”w. Please expect 6-9 weeks for delivery.
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Photo courtesy of the artist.
$100 Level: Unframed giclée print on paper of Khu.éex’ band member Bernie Worrell playing music. Pencil signed and dated 2014 by noted Photographer Russell Johnson. Open edition.
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Photo: Russell Johnson
SOLD OUT $300 Level: Pendleton Blanket, with the
“Raven and the Box of Knowledge” Preston Singletary design, wool/cotton, 64" x 80".
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$300 Level: “Moon
Mask” by the artist Preston Singletary, cast and sand carved glass, artist signed, 3” x 3” x 1”, open edition.
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Photo: Russell Johnson
$400 Level: Receive one tattoo by local Seattle Tattoo Artist Nahaan, who specializes in “Traditional and contemporary northern style formline, basket patterns, chilkat patterns, done as commission drawings, paintings, tattoos, and prints.”
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Example Tattoo by Nahaan.
$750 Level: "Spirit
Face” by the artist Preston Singletary, created in cast and sand carved glass
and measuring 4.75" x 6.25” x 1”. Open edition and artist signed.
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Photo: Russell Johnson
$3,000 Level: Option #1: Tlingit Berry Basket in Purple with Cedar Brown lip, blown and sand carved glass, signed by the artist Preston Singletary, 6" H x 5" W.
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SOLD $3,000 Level: Option #2: Tlingit Berry Basket in Twilight with Navy lip, by the artist Preston Singletary, 5.25" H x 5.75" W.
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$3,000 Level: Option #3: Tlingit Berry Basket in Granite with Grey lip, blown and sand carved glass, signed by the artist Preston Singletary, 5" H x 5" W.
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Photo of glass Tlingit Baskets in granite and purple, each offered at the $3,000 level.
$5,000 Level: “Killer
Whale Totem” created by Preston Singletary in cast glass, and measuring 18" h x 6" w x 6" d, overall including
base. Open Edition.
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Photo: Russell Johnson
