Native American

The considerable variety in the music of indigenous North Americans only recently started coming to the attention of the non-native U.S. population, although inter-tribal pow-wows have spread broader familiarity among Native Americans -- as well as a certain amount of crossover in styles. While Native American music varies tremendously from coast to coast and north to south, the overall style emphasizes vocals with spare percussive accompaniment and the scattered use of wooden flutes. The pow-wows at which many of these styles evolved emphasize group singing and chants as well as ritual dance. Some performers in the Native American tradition have found favor in New Age and folk settings. Occasionally, music inspired by Native American styles also appears in popular culture, such as the storyteller rock of John Trudell and the later work of Robbie Robertson, leader of the Band.