Ulali features original founders Pura Fé (Tuscarora), Soni (Mayan, Apache and Yaqui), and Jennifer (Tuscarora). Founded in 1997, Ulali is the first Native American women’s group to create its own sound, featuring the performer’s strong traditional roots and personal contemporary styles.
They have created a new genre of Native Music and inspired the creation of other Native women’s groups. Known for their unusual harmonies and wide vocal and musical ranges, Ulali’s sound encompasses an array of indigenous music, including southeast choral singing and pre-Columbian music. With their beautiful yearning and powerful voices, they drum, rattle and stomp.
Breaking the stereotypes of Native women, Ulali is political, romantic and humorous. Their live performances, which uniquely address Native struggles and accomplishments, are energetic, informative and educational.
Ulali has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, and abroad, performing at venues like the 1997 Smithsonian’s Folkways 50th Anniversary Gala and 2001 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. They have appeared at the 1999 World Festival of Sacred Music at the Hollywood Bowl and a wide range of other venues, benefit performances, and festivals. The past several years they have performed abroad in Germany, Italy, Brazil and Corsica.
Ulali also travels throughout Indian country (U.S., Canada, Central and South America), visiting communities, singing for the people, exchanging songs in the hopes of maintaining strong native ties. They also perform at powwow’s and can often be heard on Native radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
In 2000 they were awarded the “Eagle Spirit Award” while attending the 25th Annual American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, CA. In addition, they were each one of several winners, of the “Native American Women’s Recognition Award” (NAWRE) presented by the Friends of Ganondagon.
The group performed in several cities with the Indigo Girls during their 1997 Shaming of the Sun tour and added their distinct voice to the Indigo Girls recording Shaming the Sun. Ulali also contributed to the Indigo Girls benefit-recording project, Honor the Earth, and participated in the national tour of the same name.
Nikya Kuan (Tuscarora) joined the group in 2002 as a part-time member.
Official Web Site: www.ulali.com
Discography:
Mahk Jchi (Corn, Beans & Squash Records, 1994)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.