Native American music fusion

[Cartoonist]

Of Kaw and Creek heritage, Jim Pepper also achieved notoriety for his compositions combining elements of jazz and Native American music. Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman encouraged Pepper to reflect his roots and heritage and incorporate it into his jazz playing and composition. His "Witchi Tai To" (derived from a peyote song of the Native American Church which he had learned from his grandfather) is the most famous example of this hybrid style

Witchi-tie-to, gimee rah
Whoa rah neeko, whoa rah neeko
Hey ney, hey ney, no way
Water spirit feelin'
Springin' round my head
Makes me feel glad
That I'm not dead

[pbmus]

1. The feeling and words authentic...ty