Jazz Quartet’s Journey from Navajo and Alaska to Nagaland

Native Jazz Quartet, consisting of Delbert Dale Anderson (trumpet), Edward William Littlefield II (percussion), Michael Bartholomew Glynn (double bass) and Ruel Valster Lubag (pianist/drummer). , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Native Jazz Quartet, consisting of Delbert Dale Anderson (trumpet), Edward William Littlefield II (percussion), Michael Bartholomew Glynn (double bass) and Ruel Valster Lubag (pianist/drummer). Recently performed at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. Known for celebrating indigenous cultures, the festival provided a unique platform for bands to share their music and engage in cultural exchange.

Diné jazz trumpet artist Delbert Anderson and percussionist Edward Littlefield of Tlingit heritage brought their rich cultural backgrounds to the festival. Delbert Anderson, deeply rooted in Navajo traditions, often sang of love, healing, and courtship in his jazz compositions. Littlefield, on the other hand, incorporates elements of his Alaska Native heritage into his music. “I bring my culture to the original jazz quartet through my social dine spinning songs. “Dine Spinning songs teach life lessons and are a collaboration of time, environment and people,” says Anderson.

During their time in Nagaland, Anderson and Littlefield were exposed to the diverse indigenous cultures of the region. Anderson talked about a particular sound he heard that resonated with him, and which was a reminder of the Navajo culture’s deep connection with nature and spirituality. This experience enriched his understanding and appreciation of local traditions.

The Hornbill Festival served as a melting pot where jazz met the traditional sounds of Nagaland. Anderson and Littlefield’s performance was not just a concert, but a cultural exchange that highlighted the similarities and differences between their native cultures and those of the Naga tribes. This blend of jazz with country tunes created a unique and captivating experience for the audience.

The Native Jazz Quartet’s participation in the Hornbill Festival exemplified the power of music as a universal language, bridging cultural gaps and promoting mutual respect and understanding.

For Anderson, the Hornbill experience was very familiar to the Gathering of Nations festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “There were many different tribes and families there who were welcoming. It was very memorable to have two female singers from Nagaland welcome us with a song. “It was exciting to see indigenous people so proud of their culture and heritage,” says the trumpet artist.