Acclaimed Native American flute player and hoop dancer Kevin Locke died on October 1, 2022. He was a renowned Hoop Dancer and leading player of the Northern Plains flute. He was 68 years old.
Kevin Locke was also a traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and educator. Of Lakota and Anishnabe heritage, Kevin’s Lakota name was, “Tokaheya Inajin” which means “First to Rise”.
On his passing, flute player and hoop dancer, Tony Duncan commented, “The world will not see his likes again. Be with your ancestors now.”
John Two Hawks said, “Kevin Locke was an icon in the Native American flute world, and was one of the earliest players to introduce the instrument to non-Native society. Kevin was also a prolific hoop dancer, who shared lessons of history, culture and healing wherever he went.”
Singer-songwriter and flute player Cody Blackbird gave Locke credit for his own artistry and one of his great influences on why he performs and records today. “He’s a huge piece of all of this for me. What he did for our communities, our language and our culture, well, that’s a whole other story,” Blackbird stated. “He had a simple humility and love for the people.”
Cody Blackbird will be leading a tribute to Kevin Locke at this year’s Native American Music Awards on November 19th, 2022 in Niagara Falls, New York.
More about Kevin Locke.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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