Wen'ípt - Forest Grove Festival of the Arts

Wen’ipt (Songs) is an Indigenous led contemporary jazz combo that highlights Indigenous artistry through jazz. Wen’ipt showcases the largely forgotten, but significant, contributions to the art form by native peoples through performance of indigenous works from multiple eras, story telling, and by simply taking up space on the scene. Wen’ipt seeks to honor and carry on a long standing tradition of indigenous peoples in jazz, from Charlie Parker (Choctaw), to Jim Pepper (Kaw/Mvskoke), and even contemporary artists such as Julia Keefe (Nimiipuu), Delbert Anderson (Navajo), and Mali Obomsawin (Abenaki).

Wen’ipt is led by the up-and-coming Baritone Saxophonist Orion White (Nimiipuu). Orion's career may just be starting but it has already taken him to massive stages, including the Kennedy Center and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts and festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival and Juneau Blues and Classics. These experiences have allowed him the chance to rub elbows with masters of the craft, recording with Marc Cary and performing with Esperanza Spalding. Orion is based in Portland, OR, and can also be found performing with the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band and the funk-fusion ensemble No Soap, Radio.

Himacus Qeci’Yew’Yew (Thank you so much) for your support of Indigenous artists.