< >Red Bull
Given the central role the drum group plays for First Nation communities everywhere, it's no mean feat to be judged the best one in the world. That honor goes to the Saskatchewan drum group Red Bull. "The world championship is the highlight of our career," group leader Edmond Bull says in typically quiet understatement. The group, which varies from 10 to 15 performers, earned the award at the international competition in Hartford, Connecticut.
Ancestry: First Nations
Genre: Hand Drum, Pow Wow - Contemporary
Albums
Awards, Nominations & Submissions
| 2009 | Best Pow Wow CD - Traditional | Gold | Winner |
| 2008 | Best Hand Drum CD | Winner | |
| 2007 | Best Hand Drum CD | Ami Nicimos | Winner |
| 2006 | Best Pow Wow CD - Traditional | Enter The Circle | Winner |
| 2010 | Best Pow Wow CD - Contemporary | Live in Minnesota | Nominee |
| 2010 | Best Hand Drum CD | Fans Favorite Round Dance | Nominee |
Biography
First Nations peoples of North America are experiencing a renaissance in culture and values. Accompanying this renewed pride of heritage is a burgeoning music industry whose root is the traditional drum group, the essence of aboriginal sound. Without the drum, there can be no powwow. Without the drum, there can be no celebration of friendship in the Round Dance, no "honor" songs paying tribute to bygone leaders, and no sacred Sun Dance ritual at mid-summer. Without the drum, there is no heartbeat. Given this central role the drum group plays for First Nation communities everywhere, it's no mean feat to be judged the best one in the world. That honor goes to the Saskatchewan drum group Red Bull. "The world championship is the highlight of our career," group leader Edmond Bull says in typically quiet understatement. The group, which varies from 10 to 15 performers, earned the award at the international competition in Hartford, Connecticut. Edmond, a 49-year-old Cree from the Little Pine First Nation near North Battleford, comes from a family where drumming and singing is passed down from generation to generation. His first recollection of drum music was hearing his father and uncles perform on the reserve. Eventually he joined them, and their group came to be known in powwow circles as The Little Pine Singers. By 1987, Edmond was the leader and primary composer of original music for the group. Before performing at an important powwow in Regina that year, he changed the group's name to Red Bull. Their powerful debut under the new name led to invitations to perform across Canada and in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Mexico and Oklahoma. As news spread of their spirited and soaring performances, requests poured in for Red Bull to act as the honored "host" drum group for powwows across North America.
