Branches Breath is a three-piece Native American flute musical ensemble whose music is a mix of percussion, extemporaneous song and composed melodies with world and Native American flutes. Branches Breath plays Native American flutes because of their unique sound and appearance. The focus of Branches Breath is to bring these indigenous and beautiful instruments to modern audiences. Branches Breath’s music strives to give their listeners a sense of peace and calm, and the freedom to engage in the positive energy of the flute.
Branches Breath plays primarily at Pow Wows, multicultural events, peace festivals, and health fairs as well as for educational, religious and community institutions. Branches Breath feels that a gift truly appreciated is a gift shared and if even one person comes away with a better appreciation of the flute from having heard their music then they met their goal.
Branches Breath’s first CD, A Walk Through the Woods, was released independently by the group in 2009 and is available for purchase on their website.
Branches Breath would like to thank the following partners who contributed to their presentation: American Indian Center of Indiana, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Rebecca Martin of Bear Creek Gallery, Kenny King of KK Flutes and Ed Faunce of Not Bad Productions for video and photo production; to Rebecca Chaplin for helping with graphic design. Also a very special thank you to the late Dr. Richard Payne, without whose efforts in preserving as many examples of the instrument and teaching people how to make them again, the Native American Flute would have long ago been lost.
Group Members
Jeffrey Gegner is a professional theatrical designer technician from Kokomo, Indiana with deep roots in music, both playing and recording. He began his music career with piano and then added trumpet, guitar and finally Native American flutes. His journey into Native American flutes came on by simple curiosity and once he started playing the instrument it seemed to come naturally to him. Music is a big part of his life. Jeffery’s great grandfather was accepted as part of what we believe is the Fox tribe in Iowa in the 1800’s. He lived with them for many years on his land and helped the tribe through some hardships.
Richard Brooner is a composer and performer (trumpet, piano, Native American flutes, and various hand percussion instruments) from Jeffersonville, Indiana. He started in music in grade school, beginning with the trumpet, and ultimately graduated with a degree in music composition from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Richard added the Native American flute to his repertoire in 2005. He is currently a principal at a human resource consulting firm. Richard has been married to his wife, Judy, for 25 years they have 3 sons and 1 daughter.
Jason Chaplin is a performer of the Native American flute residing in Avon, Indiana. Jason’s path to the Native American flute came from a lifelong fascination with the American West and stories of his Cherokee ancestors. While Jason is four generations removed from those ancestors their spirit rings today in his love of the flute and continued research in Native American spirituality. Prior to picking up the flute in 2006, Jason had no formal musical training, other than vocal, and is largely a self-taught musician. Jason is currently a nursing student and has been married to his wife, Aliya, for 4 years and they have 2 young daughters.
Their Music
The Native American flute began as a very crude, rough, abrasive instrument with no tuning of any kind. However, even with it’s crude beginning, it was still used to express love and be played from the heart. It has since evolved from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s into what we see today as a quality concert tuned instrument. Branches Breath will speak on the origins and original intent of the flute; tell the story of what early Native Americans believed to be the flutes beginning. We will explain how the flutes haunting and unique sound has lent itself for healing and meditative practices. Additionally, we will examine its contemporary use as a calming tool that can balance the body and bring inner feelings of peace. Throughout the presentation we will perform musical interludes using Native flutes and native percussion as well as recorded sounds from nature to tie the instrument to its earthly origins.
Instruments
The Native flute is the only melodic wind instrument belonging to the People of the North American continent and is the only instrument indigenous to the North America. Some believe the flute should be preserved exclusively as a cultural instrument while others feel that access should be granted to all who enjoy its song. As musicians involved with healing and performing, we feel the flute should be seen as a tool for all people to use in a positive manner.
The flute is referred to by various tribes as the Love flute, the Prayer flute and the Healing flute. No matter the name, the sacred element of the flute comes through in its song. The nature of the music is one of drawing the sacred music from the player. There are no learned songs, no preliminary compositions; the flute decides what to draw from its player. The flute comes alive when the player adds their breath and sings for those that do not have a voice. The flute joins all peoples to the sacred trees and in turn the trees connect to the earth and sky letting the Divine Breath course through the player, the listeners. The music is shaped with ones air, heart and intent.
Image Gallery
