NAVAJO FUSION


crowd seems to like the jazz and the funk ele- ments. And the younger crowd seems to like the rap styles. It’s a contrast, just like colors contrast and complement each other, I feel like our different genres do the same thing in audible form.” Anderson elaborates, “The Trio had the


TOP: Hip hop artist Def-i complements the jazz trio’s smooth beats with rapid-fire lyrics. ABOVE: DDAT’s album released at the 2018 Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, N.M. Cover art created by Dumper (aka Dump la Rock aka Dumper Foo).


songs already. We just had to switch it up so Def-i could come in and rap over it. For our new release, those [songs] were specifically written for both of us. Usually, I’ll come up with a melody. And, I’ll take it to the group, and Nick composes his part. I don’t write out everyone’s part. And, Mike just sort of picks up what he wants to do. And, then, Def-i comes in. “Once we bring it all together, we start


to try to fuse it a little better, move things around a little – try to create some structure.


12 AMERICAN INDIAN WINTER 2018


Like when Def-i is singing, sometimes it’s just Def-i and the drums going at it. Sometimes, it’s just Def-i by himself.” Anderson continues, “We know how each


other are, as musicians. We’re all individual composers. But, we all know the fundamen- tals of playing with one another. We know how to collaborate. I think that’s what is really special about this group.” The trio has its roots in the Farmington


area. Lucero recalls meeting McCluhan at San Juan College about 15 years ago. “I was a young drummer, and he was this crazy, bass- playing guy with a ponytail and a black and white Rickenbacker bass.” They don’t limit themselves strictly to the jazz genre. Their broad range includes everything from jazz to pop funk. Lucero has toured with local and


ALBUM ART COURTESY OF ADAM DUMPER


PHOTOS BY J. MORGAN EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHY


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