Speak/Sing Native™ Artist Archive
Levi Platero
Diné (Navajo)
“Levi Platero is a Diné blues artist from To’hajilee, New Mexico…By the time he was fourteen, he was performing with his father, Murphy Platero, and cousin Douglas Platero in their family band, The Plateros.”
“I’m a Navajo bluesman who grew up in a Gospel circuit. I have this huge cultural background I’m very proud of but, at the end of the day, I’m also a blues guy and I’m trying to fit in. Trying to bring all those diverse influences and different styles of music I love into a blues context.” – Levi Platero (Artist website)
"Steeped in musical lessons as far back as teaching himself guitar at nine years old from a launchpad of the three Kings and Stevie Ray Vaughn, Platero’s leads and songwriting reflect a lifetime absorbing music. On “Work Hours,” Platero’s guitar work and songwriting style bring a breath of fresh air to a time-worn topic and make it new.
'I haven’t really had a lot of jobs in my life, other than being a musician. So in that way I’ve been lucky. But about two years ago was one of those times when I had to do it. I had a job at a hardware store for about six months, and I hated it. I just remember thinking, ‘I don’t have enough hours to earn what I need, but these hours I have still feel way too long.’ I’m a Navajo bluesman who grew up in a Gospel circuit, I have this huge cultural background I’m very proud of but, at the end of the day, I’m also a blues guy and I’m trying to fit in. Trying to bring all those diverse influences and different styles of music I love into a blues context.' – Levi Platero
"Platero is from the Navajo Nation in the Southwest region of the United States. With his family band The Plateros they emerged on the music scene in 2004 as a blues rock power trio compared to the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Los Lonely Boys and ZZ Top. After a decade of touring the US with his family band, and a 1-year run as a member of Indigenous, Levi decided it was time to get back to his own music as a solo artist.
"He then recruited a new band, began touring, and released a self titled EP featuring the single Take Me Back which went on to win the 2016 Native American Music Award (NAMA) for Best Blues. Levi Platero is a great example of a guitar player with the gift of guitar playing intuition of a much more experienced player. His quiet nature is unleashed in a style that mixes a spectrum of Texas blues and vintage rock to modern guitar heroes such as Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. With a captivating live show he ranges from flurries of guitar acrobatics all the way down to soulful expressiveness." (source Artist website)
Professional Information
Albums:
2017 – Take Me Back EP
2020 - Levi Platero Band
2022 - Dying Breed
The Plateros - Short Documentary 12:15 Official 2015
The Plateros - 2012 Music for Life Festival 21:42 Live 2012
The Plateros - Forever I'm With You 4:14 Official 2010
The Plateros - Without You 4:34 Official 2010
The Plateros: Kayenta July 4th, 2012 12:03 Live 2012
Murphy Platero, Douglas Platero, Mato Nanji, Indigenous, Bronson Begay, Jacob Shije
Albums:
2017 – Take Me Back EP
2020 - Levi Platero Band
2022 - Dying Breed
The Plateros - Short Documentary 12:15 Official 2015
The Plateros - 2012 Music for Life Festival 21:42 Live 2012
The Plateros - Forever I'm With You 4:14 Official 2010
The Plateros - Without You 4:34 Official 2010
The Plateros: Kayenta July 4th, 2012 12:03 Live 2012
Blues, rock
Musician, songwriter, bandleader
Guitar, Vocals
Video
- Levi Platero, Bronson Begaye, Douglas Platero, Jacob Shije
Angel - Jimi Hendrix tribute - Levi Platero, Bronson Begaye, Douglas Platero, Jacob Shije
Venue:
Format: Live
Duration: 5:31
- Levi Platero, Douglas Platero, Bronson Begay - The Plateros
Red House - Jimi Hendrix tribute - Levi Platero, Douglas Platero, Bronson Begay - The Plateros
Venue: Live at Casino, Arizona
Format: Live
Duration: 7:44
- Levi Platero
Hear My Train A-Comin' - Jimi Hendrix tribute - Levi Platero
Venue: The Launchpad, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Format: Live
Duration: 10:36
- Levi Platero, Bronson Begaye, Douglas Platero, Jacob Shije
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix Tribute - Levi Platero, Bronson Begaye, Douglas Platero, Jacob Shije
Venue:
Format: Live
Duration: 4:02
The Front Porch Sessions
- Levi Platero, The Plateros
Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix Tribute - Levi Platero, The Plateros
Venue: At the Gathering of Nations
Format: Live
Duration: 7:28
Tribal Information
Diné (Navajo)
"The Navajo Nation extends into the states of Utah , Arizona and New Mexico , covering over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty. Diné Bikéyah, or Navajoland, is larger than 10 of the 50 states in America.
"Visitors from around the world are intrigued and mystified when they hear the Navajo language – so, too, were the enemy during World War II. Unknown to many, the Navajo language was used to create a secret code to battle the Japanese. Navajo men were selected to create codes and serve on the front line to overcome and deceive those on the other side of the battlefield. Today, these men are recognized as the famous Navajo Code Talkers, who exemplify the unequaled bravery and patriotism of the Navajo people.
The Navajo Nation flag
"The Navajo Nation Flag, designed by Jay R. Degroat, a Navajo from Mariano Lake, New Mexico, was selected from 140 entries, and was officially adopted by the Navajo Nation Council on May 21, 1968 by Resolution CMY-55-68.
"On a tan background, the outline of the present Nation is shown in copper color with the original 1868 Treaty Reservation in Dark Brown. At the cardinal points in the tan field are the four sacred mountains. A rainbow symbolizing Navajo sovereignty arches over the Nation and the sacred mountains. In the center of the Nation, a circular symbol depicts the sun above two green stalks of corn, which surrounds three animals representing the Navajo livestock economy, and a traditional hogan and modern home.
"Between the hogan and the house is an oil derrick symbolizing the resource potential of the Tribe, and above this are representations of the wild fauna of the Nation. At the top near the sun, the modern sawmill symbolizes the progress and industry characteristic of the Navajo Nation's economic development." (source Tribal website)