< >Asani

Portrait of Asani

Asani, a contemporary a cappella Aboriginal women’s trio from Canada, officially formed in April 1997. Asani is taken from the Cree word “asiniy,” which means “rock.” Debbie Houle, Sherryl Sewepagaham and Sarah Pocklington carry with them the traditional influences of First Nations and Metis music. 

Website Link

Ancestry: First Nations
Language: Cree, English
Genre: Acoustic, Folk

Albums

Album Cover
Listen
mp3 clipKiyanaw (1.2M, 1:01s)
mp3 clipOkisikowak (1.2M, 01:00s)
mp3 clipNitohta (964.3K, 01:00s)
Album Cover
Rattle & Drum

Awards, Nominations & Submissions

2011Best Duo or GroupNominee
2011Best Producer/EngineerNominee
2010Best Folk / Acoustic CDListenNominee
2006Best Group or DuoNominee
2006Best Folk / Acoustic CDRattle & DrumNominee
2006Single of the YearNominee

Group Members

  • Sherryl Sewepagaham
  • Sarah Pocklington
  • Debbie Houle

Biography

Asani, a contemporary a cappella Aboriginal women’s trio from Canada, officially formed in April 1997. Asani is taken from the Cree word “asiniy,” which means “rock.” Debbie Houle, Sherryl Sewepagaham and Sarah Pocklington carry with them the traditional influences of First Nations and Metis music. Asani’s repertoire is comprised primarily of original compositions in Woodland Cree and English and their musical styles encompass the spectrum from songs that reflect their musical traditions accompanied by drums and rattles, to the contemporary sounds of jazz, folk and blues. Since the release of their 2005 debut CD “Rattle & Drum,” Asani has received 8 nominations and awards throughout Canada and the U.S. “Rattle & Drum” received the 2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for “Best Female Traditional/Cultural Roots” album, a 2005 Western Canadian Music Award nomination, a 2006 Native American Music Award nomination, and a 2006 Juno Award nomination for “Aboriginal Recording of the Year.”