ALEX E. SMITH, CHEEVERS TOPPAH & NITANIS "KIT" LANDRY
About the Artist
About Alex E. Smith (Pawnee/Sauk & Fox)
Beginning his singing career as a young boy in his hometown of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Alex's signature vocals have been heard with the most noted Southern-style drum groups. In 2004 Alex joined with fellow singer and friend Cheevers Toppah to forge an unprecedented vocal sound blending southern plains Pow-wow singing with choral hymnody. Their debut recording "Intonation" (CR-6395) was nominated for multiple awards and was a finalist at the 2005 Grammy Awards in the Best Native American Album category. Alex travels extensively across North America with the Thunder Hill drum group sharing his inimitable vocal sound with numerous listeners.
About Cheevers Toppah (Kiowa/Navajo)
Raised in Weatherford, Oklahoma, Cheevers comes from a strong family of line of singers and has spent most of his life around the Pow-wow drum. While in high school, he studied choir and eventually sang and traveled with the All-State chorus. This experience later inspired Cheevers to combine his choral training with this extensive knowledge of Pow-Wow singing. The resulting harmonized vocal sound can be hear on the landmark Grammy nominated recording "Intonation" (CR-6395). Cheevers travels the Pow-wow trail with the Thunder Hill drum group. He remains close to his parents D.K. and Jeannie, his brother Hyde and sister Janaye.
Recordings
