Formed in 1997 by musician/composer John Williams and vocalist/lyricist Shkeme Garcia, Albuquerque based Native Roots is a band dedicated to the sound and spirit of Native American and Reggae music.
Strongly rooted by life experiences, the realities of reservation upbringings and the impacts of Reggae music, Native Roots’ genre-melding composition uniquely reaches out to audiences through live performances that have become an exceptional and dynamic addition to the international reggae music scene and Native American genre.
Through danceable world beats and positive lyrical themes of language, culture, elders, youth, empowerment and love, Native Roots soldiers on with Brother Bob Marley’s global “One Love” message reaching out to all audiences, all ages and all the time continuing to celebrate the ever strong Native American and Indigenous People.
Well traveled, Native Roots’ has performed throughout “Native America”, Reggae festivals, New Zealand and have been showcased within premier lineups which have included reggae greats such as: Kenyatta Hill of Culture, Katchafire, Israel Vibration, Burning Spear, and Toots and the Maytals.
www.nativeroots.net
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Notable Performances
o '08 Native American Music Awards------Seneca, NY
o '08,'05 Roots & Rhythms Festival--------Santa Fe, NM
o '08 '07 Santa Fe Indian Market-----------Santa Fe, NM
o '08-'05 Stage 49/Gathering of Nations--Albuquerque, NM
o '08 with Katchafire/Santa Ana Star------Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
o 07.07.07 Live Earth Global Concert-----Washington, DC
o '02 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics------Utah
o Miss Indian World/GON-------------------Albuquerque, NM
o Sundance Film Festival--------------------Park City, UT
o Smithsonian NMAI-------------------------Washington, DC
o Taste of DC--------------------------------Washington, DC
o Kennedy Performing Arts Center--------Washington DC
o Havasupai Nation--------------------------Grand Canyon, AZ
o Cherokee Nation Fair----------------------Cherokee, NC
o Comanche Nation Fair---------------------Lawton, OK
o Stanford University------------------------California
o University of Colorado at Boulder--------Colorado
o Hopi Veterans Memorial Center----------Hopi, AZ
o Jammin' Salmon Festival------------------Seattle, WA
o 1999 NAMA-Foxwoods Casino------------Mashantucket, CT
o Reggae on the River w/Joy Harjo--------Northern CA
o Iwasil Youth Conference------------------Seattle, WA
o Eshikagou Pow wow-----------------------Chicago, IL
o Little Beaver Celebration-----------------Dulce, NM
o Mystic Lake Casino------------------------Shakopee, MN
o Soaring Eagle Casino---------------------Mt. Pleasant, MI
o Seminole Tribe of Florida-----------------Hollywood, FL
o Miccosukee Tribe--------------------------Miccosukee, FL
o Bob Marley Reggae Festival--------------Phoenix, AZ
o Porcupine Music Festival------------------Porcupine, SD
o Standing Rock Community---------------Standing Rock, ND
o Navajo Nation Fair------------------------Window Rock, AZ
o Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival----------Palmerston North, New Zealand
o 10th anniversary of the Land Protest
. .Occupation of the Municipal Gardens--Wanganui, New Zealand
o Nga Taiatea Wharekura-----------------Hamilton, New Zealand
o Te Wananga O Aotearoa----------------Te Awamutu, New Zealand
o Hillcrest Pub------------------------------Hamilton, New Zealand
o City of Albuquerque/Summerfest------Albuquerque, NM
o Tohono o'odham Fair--------------------Sells, AZ
o Mystic Lake Casino----------------------Shakopee, MN
o New Mexico State Fair-------------------Albuquerque, NM
o Haskell Indian Nations University-------Lawrence, KS
o New Mexico State University------------Las Cruces, NM
o One/World Beat/Sky City Casino-------Acoma Pueblo, NM
o Tsaile Music Festival---------------------Tsaile, AZ
o National Indian Education Assn.------- Billings, MT
o National Indian Education Assn.------- Sioux Falls, SD
o Hondah Casino Hotel--------------------Pinetop, AZ
o Dancing Eagle Casino-------------------Laguna Pueblo, NM
o Ohkay Owingeh Casino-----------------Ohkay Owingeh, NM
o Camel Rock Casino---------------------Tesuque, NM
o Isleta Casino Resort--------------------Isleta Pueblo, NM
o Sandia Casino Resort-------------------Sandia Pueblo, NM
o Casino Hollywood-----------------------San Felipe Pueblo, NM
o Santo Domingo Feast-------------------Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM
o Zia Community--------------------------Zia Pueblo,NM
o Big Rock Casino-------------------------Santa Clara Pueblo, NM
And to all the places we’ve been, the people we’ve met – especially the kids - we are always grateful for the opportunity to perform, share our music, visit and hope to come back again soon someday – ho weh Eyani – blessings, Native Roots
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Discography:
o 1999 Native Roots: Place I Call Home
o 2002 Native Roots: Rain us Love
o 2007 Native Roots: Celebrate Our Lives
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Television:
o 2002 SLC Winter Olympics
o 2003 Food TV Network – Bobby Flay
o 2005 Maori TV (New Zealand)
o 2008 KRQE Channel 13
o Various Seminole Tribe of Florida Broadcasting
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Awards/Special Recognition:
o 2008 NAMA – Best World Music Recording – “Celebrate”
o 2008 NAMA – Group of the Year – “Celebrate”
o 2007 1st round Grammy Awards
o 2006 New Mexico Music Commission “Artist of the Month” (August)
o 2004 NAMA - Best World Music Recording - “Rain Us Love”
o 1999 NAMA Nomination - Best Independent Music Recording – “Place I Call Home”
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Members:
o Keyboards/Composer - John Williams (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Sioux)
o Lead Singer/Lyricist - "Shkeme" Garcia (Tamaya/Jemez)
o Bassist - Carlo Johnson (Isleta Pueblo/Dine’)
o Rhythm Guitar – Jason Garduno
o Drummer – Royce Platero (Dine’)
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Booking Information:
Just message us or call Melissa at emergence productions 505.620.8539
kia ora brada'z, its been awhile but the aroha is still here. i have a pic sitting on my desktop of the indian nations and all the different tribes of the USA and Canadians to, and im always reminded of Native Roots and where you guys are from. Keep up the tumeke music brada'z
"We must stop confusing religion and spirituality. Religion is a set of rules, regulations and rituals created by humans, which were supposed to help people to grow spiritually. Due to human imperfection, religion has become corrupt, political, divisive and a tool for power struggle. Spirituality is not theology or ideology. It is simply a Way of life, pure and original as was given by the Most High of Creation. Spirituality is a network linking us to the Most High, the universe and each other. As the essence of our existence, it embodies our culture, true identity, nationhood and destiny. A people without a nation that they can really call their own, is a people without a soul. Africa is our nation and is in spiritual and physical bondage because Her leaders are turning to outside forces for solutions to African problems when everything Africa needs is within Her. When African righteous people come together the world will come together. This is our divine destiny!"
Words of H.I.M. HAILE SELASSIE I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah
KESHI from Zuni Pueblo!!!! Just thought I'd tell ya guys to keep up the good work that you're all doing. I enjoy listening to your tunez, i especialy like listening to Rain Us Love....i can't stop listening to that song, LOL
Aloha Native Roots. This is Rheif again just showin some aloha from Hawai'i nei. I just want to say you guys are pretty talented. I hope to see you guys in concert on Kaua'i someday soon. Maybe I'll be jammin with some of the guys that open for you guys and we can cruise it backstage. Stay true to your roots and never forget your culture. Ahui hou.
Hey guys thank for the add, I have a fan for quite sometimes and have 3 of your albums and getting the new one at the concert hopefully I'll be able to make it! Keep on Jammin Guy you are an inspiration to all Native People. Much Love
He mihi mahana tenei kia koutou Native Roots. Thanks for the add. You guys are amazing, LOVE 'Rain us Love', can't stop playing it! Native Americans have such amazing poetry. Keep it coming brothers!
And What's not to love? You guys are truly unique! I'm skanking to your vibe. Keep smiling and sending you plenty sunshine from South Africa to New Mexico, it's over 40 degrees C here today! Peace to you all xxx Ricki
Oh...
And i have to say...
I just watched one of your videos...
And you guys are awesome...
Your lead vocalist has awesome stage presence...
Youll be MASSIVE live...
Oh you so need to come back here...
But next time make your way up to the Norty Norf...
We'll show you how to make the Awesome Fried Bried and Hangi...
