Biography
Art Napoleon, a bushman from the boreal foothills of Northern BC, can still skin a moose with a pocket knife but he is known more as an underground troubador whose words and music bridges cultures. He is an extremely versatile bi-lingual singer-songwriter armed with a wicked sense of humour and an uncanny ability to improvise and engage audiences of all ages. A born entertainer, he can embody both trickster and shaman to cast a spell on the gathered.
Raised by cree speaking grandparents in the remote northern woodlands, it's probably a good thing that napoleon turned from hunting & gathering to crafting songs with clever, thoughtful lyrics. Whether he is telling a story or singing about a life of intriguing and mystical experiences and characters, he manages to be both irreverent and deeply spiritual.
Napoleon has been featured on many radio and TV programs including Zed TV, Dead Dog Comedy, CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, CBC Roundup, Cree for Kids, Beyond Words, All Points West, Rez Blues and is also host of CHUM TV's The New Canoe. His previous indie recordings have been nominated for numerous music awards including the WCMAs, Canadian Folk Awards, the NAMMIES & the CAMAs. Art's latest CD Siskabush Tales delves into the alt-country fold and is receiving rave reviews accross Canada. His moose-nose stew has been known to heal broken hearts and encourage compassion for the culturally deprived.
Instrumentation
Napoleon performs vocals, guitar, harmonica & hand-drums. He is a seasoned solo artist but often teams with multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Marty Jones for smooth harmonies & a band-like sound. Art's full band "The Travelling Suns" includes Zak Cohen on lead guitar, Marty Jones on bass & cello, Carsen Oglend on drums. They're sometimes joined by Beverly Mckeen on harmonies, mandolin & percussion or Calvin Cairns on fiddle.
Discography
Siskabush Tales- full length released sept 2008- airplay on various small country music stations, CBC, Aboriginal, Community & College radio. Samples can be heard online through CBC2 Live concert series. It was one of Stuart Derdyn's(Vancouver Province) favorite albums of 2008.
Mocikan: Songs for Learning Cree- full length released March 2008. First kid's recording nominated for a couple Canadian based awards. Airplay on CBC, community & Aboriginal radio.
Miyoskamin - Full-length CD released April 2006. CBC, College & Aboriginal radio with some international play. Top played album of 2006 on CBC Galaxy Folk-Roots program. Songs selected for two compilation projects, one based in France with European distribution.
Outta the Woods - 1st recording, full-length CD. CBC, College & Aboriginal radio play with some TV play.
Links
| http://www.artnapoleon.com |
| Art Napoleon's official website |
| myspace website |