Speak/Sing Native™ Artist Archive
Connor Chee
Diné (Navajo)
“Navajo pianist and composer Connor Chee is known for combining his classical piano training with his Native American heritage. Chee made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 12 after winning a gold medal in the World Piano Competition. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Chee’s solo piano music is inspired by traditional Navajo chants and songs." source
“Chee has released 4 studio albums of original pieces and piano transcriptions of Navajo music. The Navajo Piano won Best Instrumental Recording at the 16th Annual Native American Music Awards, and his piece Beginnings won Best New Age Song.
“Chee’s 2020 release, Scenes from Dinétah, features piano pieces written about elements of Navajo life and culture. It was accompanied by the release of several music videos filmed on the reservation, directed by Navajo filmmaker Michael Etcitty Jr.
“Chee's most recent release, The Navajo Piano (Revisited), features new recordings of his original 15 compositions from 2014, as well as recordings of the traditional songs they were based on. Also included are 3 new transcriptions for harp featuring Angelica Hairston and Johanna Wienholts.” source
Professional Information
Shí Naashá by Connor Chee w/ Kelsey Begay & Tex Chee 3:57 Official 2024
from Across the Desert: The Long Walk Home
A Song of Survival: Native American (Navajo) Teachings 9:07 Official 2024
Cedar (from Scenes from Dinétah) 4:31 Official 2022
Pathways (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:12 Official 2022
Sheep (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:41 Official 2021
Horses (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:43 Official 2021
Hogan (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:04 Official 2021
Fry Bread (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:19 Official 2021
Here Before, Hear Now Podcast: Connor Chee – Classical Pianist 21:54 Interview 2024
Angelica Hairston, Johanna Wienholts, Navajo filmmaker Michael Etcitty Jr., Kelsey Begay, Tex Chee
Shí Naashá by Connor Chee w/ Kelsey Begay & Tex Chee 3:57 Official 2024
from Across the Desert: The Long Walk Home
A Song of Survival: Native American (Navajo) Teachings 9:07 Official 2024
Cedar (from Scenes from Dinétah) 4:31 Official 2022
Pathways (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:12 Official 2022
Sheep (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:41 Official 2021
Horses (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:43 Official 2021
Hogan (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:04 Official 2021
Fry Bread (from Scenes from Dinétah) 3:19 Official 2021
Here Before, Hear Now Podcast: Connor Chee – Classical Pianist 21:54 Interview 2024
Classical
Musician, composer
Piano
Video
- Connor Chee
Sheep (from Scenes from Dinétah) - Connor Chee
Venue:
Format: Official
Duration: 3:41
- Connor Chee, Kelsey Begay & Tex Chee
Shí Naashá from Across the Desert: The Long Walk Home - Connor Chee, Kelsey Begay & Tex Chee
Venue:
Format: Official
Duration: 3:57
Tribal Information
Diné (Navajo)
also known as "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)
Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution (the Supremacy Clause)
“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”