November 5, 2024
by Madeline Colley ’24
From right to left: Larry Redhouse, Lenny Redhouse, Mary Redhouse, Tony Redhouse and Duane Reilley
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Larry Redhouse and his jazz ensemble are returning to Cochise College for a free performance. Their college tour will be Thursday, Nov. 7, beginning with a performance at the Douglas Campus in the Student Union from 12 – 1:30 p.m. Then they will perform again at the Sierra Vista Campus in the Student Union from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
The Redhouse family is well known at the college. “The Redhouse family had traditionally done native hoop dancing and flute playing in honor of Native American Heritage Months. And every November, they would come down and have a performance out by the green lawn on the Sierra Vista Campus in full regalia, hoop dancing, playing flute and telling stories,” said Virginia Thompson, instructor of Fine Arts and co-chair of Cultural Events Committee, who helped organize this year’s event.
Thompson has been a fan of the Redhouse family’s performances for years, often bringing students to watch. However, in-person events were halted during the pandemic. When events returned to the college, Thompson quickly contacted the Redhouse family to coordinate an event. “I reached out to the Redhouse family to invite them back, and they mentioned that they were no longer dancing but were now a jazz band. I went to their website and listened to their music, and it’s really good and interesting. So, my co-chair and I wanted to bring Larry Redhouse back in this new capacity,” Thompson said.
Initially, the Redhouse ensemble was a jazz trio. “Their first time back to the college was about three years ago, and everyone really liked them. I can even say I like smooth jazz because of them,” she added.“There was a lot of enthusiasm from the audience to bring them back.”
Larry Redhouse and his family are excited to return to the college and perform new music. He said, “We’re all excited and looking forward to performing at both campuses. Students and community members will hear four of the six Redhouse siblings performing music together—The Redhouse siblings haven’t performed together for almost 20 years!”
This year, the events are strategically planned. For the afternoon performance at the Douglas Campus, faculty and students are encouraged to come by, stay for however long they can, and listen to great music during their lunch break. For the Sierra Vista Campus, the evening performance gives attendees time between work or class to come and enjoy the synergy of the Redhouse Jazz Ensemble.
“It’s a program worth your drive that won’t take up your whole day or night, and it’s friendly for all ages,” Thompson shared. “I think every person could find something to appreciate about it—but especially if you play an instrument or compose music.”
Redhouse added, “I hope audience members will enjoy the music and the individual talents of each band member. And, I hope musicians and artists will be encouraged to find their own voice in whatever they do.”
The concert is free of charge, and CDs will be available for purchase.
“I was blown away by the last two events and how much music three people could make because jazz isn’t the same more than once. There’s this energy and communication among the members in each performance. So I’m excited because there was such a synergy among the three of them, and with six, I think that’ll be even more interesting,” Thompson added.
According to Redhouse, “Instrumental jazz requires having an ability to share a musical vocabulary using chords, scales, dynamics and rhythms to convey emotional statements and human experiences. Instrumental jazz also allows the listener to interpret music very personally without lyrics.”
The Larry Redhouse Jazz Ensemble beautifully blends smooth jazz with subtle Native American influences, which makes it a powerfully unique medium to pay homage to their Native American Heritage. “Larry Redhouse will play some flute alone and do an opening speech or sometimes a prayer. And, in the music, there’s subtle native sound being fused into the jazz. It’s really special that someone who writes the music is also playing the music. There’s this connection to what he has composed and how he and his family decide to play it. It’s very synergistic.” said Thompson.
Jazz is a great medium for blending traditional sounds. Tony Redhouse said, “In traditional Native American culture, all forms of expression, including our songs, dance, and music, tell a story. Whether we perform an Eagle dance to depict the amazing flight of an Eagle in the sky above us, or sing a “Sunrise Call” chant to greet the Sunshine’s warmth and light that begins our day—or just create a “heartbeat” on our drum to remind us of the love that connects all life in the Universe. Jazz is another way of expressing our daily experiences, emotions and dreams that we can transparently share with others.”
The music produced by Larry Redhouse and his family is phenomenal, and there’s something anyone and everyone from the community is sure to enjoy. It’s a wonderful way to relieve stress after a day of work or classes. Thompson continued, “I think it’s just a refresh. It’s a little past midterms, and people probably feel super busy, but that’s when you need to step aside and enjoy something. Forget about your tests and your work, and just enjoy the music.”
Moreover, the Redhouse family is honoring their heritage in a unique way, fusing jazz with sounds to pay tribute to Native American heritage. “Music and culture is already something that is naturally a part of us,” Redhouse added. “The general public needs to know that First Nations music and art are not stagnant. Native music and art is constantly evolving and progressing.”
Cochise College offers many free community events throughout the year. If you would like to see a list of all the college events visit, www.cochise.edu/events.
Madeline Colley is a student content creator for the Marketing, Communications and Advancement office at Cochise College. Her major is English, and she will graduate in December 2024.