An evening with R. Carlos Nakai, a benefit for the Mancos Public Library, will be held Saturday, June 16, 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) at the Mancos Opera House.
Of Navajo-Ute heritage, Nakai is a top performer of the Native American flute. Originally trained in classical trumpet and music theory, Nakai was given a traditional cedar wood flute as a gift and challenged to see what he could do with it.
Since 1983, he has released over 35 albums on the Canyon label. In addition to his solo appearances throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, Nakai has worked with guitarist William Eaton, flutist Paul Horn, composers James DeMars and Phillip Glass and various symphony orchestras.
While well-grounded in the traditional uses of the flute, Nakai has explored new musical settings including new age, world-beat jazz and classical. His cross-cultural collaborations have included an album with the Wind Travelin Band, a Japanese folk ensemble and Tibetan flutist and singer Nawang Khechog on several productions, including In A Distant Place. Nakai has earned two gold records for Canyon Trilogy and Earth Spirit and has received nine Grammy nominations. Nakais career has been shaped by a desire to communicate a sense of Native American culture and society that transcends the common stereotypes presented in mass media.
The cost for the concert is $35 for general admission, $75 for VIP private reception with Nakai (includes wine, beer and appetizers following the event). Proceeds will benefit the Mancos Public Library. Tickets are on sale at Southwest Sound in Durango, Mancos Public Library and Rocky Mountain One Stop in Cortez.
For more information, call 970-759-9716, e-mail www.tamigraham.com or find the event on Facebook.